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Wayne Rooney sets to break the 40-goal barrier after his double put Manchester United back on top of the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over West Brom.
Rooney took his tally for the season to 26 at Old Trafford on Sunday with a well-taken first half goal and a second half penalty, awarded for a push on Ashley Young by Keith Andrews.
That leaves the England striker -- who has nine goals in his last six appearances -- just eight short of his previous highest total for an entire campaign, recorded in the 2009-10 season.
But Ferguson is hoping Rooney can reach 40 as United attempt to retain the English title -- they lead Manchester City by one point -- and also stay in the Europa League, the competition in which they must overturn a 3-2 first leg deficit at Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.
"As long as he gets to 40 I'll be absolutely delighted because we are in business then. He's on a hot streak -- he does these things," Ferguson said.
Thanks to Rooney's latest heroics, and the second half dismissal of West Brom defender Jonas Olsson, United have finally overhauled bitter rivals City and sit top of the pile for the first time since October.
Rooney's form also earned praise from Albion manager Roy Hodgson, one of the names being mentioned as being in contention for the vacant England post.
And should Hodgson be in charge of England at Euro 2012, he has little doubt about how much Rooney will be missed in the opening two group games from which he is suspended.
That leaves the England striker -- who has nine goals in his last six appearances -- just eight short of his previous highest total for an entire campaign, recorded in the 2009-10 season.
But Ferguson is hoping Rooney can reach 40 as United attempt to retain the English title -- they lead Manchester City by one point -- and also stay in the Europa League, the competition in which they must overturn a 3-2 first leg deficit at Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.
"As long as he gets to 40 I'll be absolutely delighted because we are in business then. He's on a hot streak -- he does these things," Ferguson said.
Thanks to Rooney's latest heroics, and the second half dismissal of West Brom defender Jonas Olsson, United have finally overhauled bitter rivals City and sit top of the pile for the first time since October.
Rooney's form also earned praise from Albion manager Roy Hodgson, one of the names being mentioned as being in contention for the vacant England post.
And should Hodgson be in charge of England at Euro 2012, he has little doubt about how much Rooney will be missed in the opening two group games from which he is suspended.
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