Fred becomes 500th different United scorer

Saturday 22 September 2018 19:12

Fred has entered the record books after scoring his first goal for Manchester United in the 1-1 draw with Wolves.

The Brazil international, signed from Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer, opened the scoring with a low drive past Rui Patricio after being beautifully teed up by Paul Pogba. Although Joao Moutinho's equaliser took the shine off the occasion, in front of the watching Sir Alex Ferguson on his return to the stands, Fred has now made his mark at his new club.

Following Luke Shaw's first effort for the Reds in the opening-night win over Leicester City last month, Fred has become the 500th different scorer in United's history, discounting own goals.

Wayne Rooney breaks the club's goalscoring record against Stoke in 2017.

FIRST SCORER

Jack Doughty was the very first player to score an official goal for Manchester United, back in the Newton Heath days on 30 October 1886. The Staffordshire-born forward, who played for Wales on account of his mother's nationality, scored twice as the Heathens were held 2-2 away to Fleetwood Rangers in the FA Cup first round.

It was the club's only competitive game that season, as Doughty's side refused to play extra-time and a win was therefore, controversially, awarded to Fleetwood. The club's historic first scorer departed five years later with only three FA Cup appearances and one further goal, away to South Shore (later renamed Blackpool), against his name.

ROONEY TOPS THE LEADERBOARD

There have also been 189 own goals, in United's favour, over the years, while the leading marksman is, of course, Wayne Rooney.

The former Reds skipper, now plying his trade in MLS with DC United, overtook long-standing top goalscorer Sir Bobby Charlton with a late free-kick at Stoke City in January, 2017. He ended up with 253 goals, four clear of Sir Bobby.

Ruud van Nistelrooy is the top goal-grabber from outside the United Kingdom after hitting the net 150 times during Sir Alex's reign, enough to secure 11th spot in the overall table. Juan Mata has more goals than any other current Red – 39.

 

Ruud van Nistelrooy is the club's leading non-UK goalscorer.