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Chris Smalling: 'We're already 1-0 up with Wayne Rooney on the pitch'

Chris Smalling believes that Wayne Rooney carries with him a one-goal advantage because the Manchester United and England star is pretty much guaranteed to score.

Manchester United and England defender Chris Smalling believes that his team have an advantage before stepping onto the pitch because of Wayne Rooney's presence.

The striker has moved to within three goals of Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time England record after scoring his 46th during the Three Lions' 3-1 win over Scotland at Celtic Park last night.

Smalling, who plays alongside Rooney at both club and international level, believes that the forward is pretty much guaranteed to score.

"He's our talisman up there," the Manchester Evening News quotes Smalling as saying. "When you've got him you pretty much know you are going to start the game 1-0 ahead because he's going to get a goal.

"His record is tremendous and to have that sort of pace and the width around him is just brilliant."

Rooney will return to club commitments when United take on Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday.

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Wayne Rooney of England celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the International Friendly match between Scotland and England at Celtic Park Stadium on November 18, 2014
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