Wayne Rooney is on the cusp of becoming England and Manchester United’s top scorer, but a number of other statistics are defining him at present.

The 29-year-old has gone goalless in his first three competitive games of the season, scored once in his last 723 competitive minutes wearing the red shirt and touched the ball only three times in the opposition penalty area this season. Question marks surround the Liverpudlian’s continuing ability to lead the line for club and country, though the same cannot be said about his self-belief.

“I’ve had one bad game this season and everyone’s all over it,” said Rooney, referring to his dismal display in last Friday’s 1-0 win at Aston Villa. “I know I’ve had that all throughout my career but hopefully at the weekend [against Newcastle] I can get off the mark.”

This is delusion, albeit based on the understandable confidence which comes from his incredible career achievements. For “one bad game”, you can read the last 10 for United and England.

Another figure is also telling, Old Trafford supremo Louis van Gaal remaining – publicly, at least – steadfast in the belief his out-of-sorts centre forward will score the minimum 20 goals required to involve his team in the title race.

For the Dutchman to consider him as the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 is folly. The final days of the summer transfer window must include acquiring other more fleet footed and younger forward options, seemingly beginning with Southampton’s Sadio Mane. A failure to do so will see United stand no chance of keeping pace with the front-runners.

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Rooney has too many miles on the clock to perform such a demanding role for a champion team, such physical failings saw Radamel Falcao unwanted and Robin van Persie jettisoned to Fenerbahce this summer.

When compared to the league’s other lone stars, Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero and Chelsea’s Diego Costa for example, it’s clear where Rooney falls in that pecking order. United’s opposition boast far-better and more-reliable options.

Not since the false dawn of April 14’s 4-2 home win against Man City has Rooney resembled the rampaging bull of old, this coming 10 days after his last goal for United via a stunning spin and half-volley versus Villa.

Today’s game at Old Trafford presents a wonderful chance to hit the goal trail once again. Rooney has scored 11 times against the Magpies, including the breathtaking volley in 2005 which showcased him at his best – combining raw power, aggression and stunning technique.

Sadly, to revisit that strike is to highlight what is now missing a decade on. A yard of pace has disappeared, as well as the spiky edge which defined him at his pugnacious best. For a player who has always scored in spurts, the fallow times seem to grow in length by the year.

A haul of 17 top-flight goals in 2013/14 dropped to 12 last season, though much time then was wasted in a deep midfield role. Rooney can still have standout moments, the volleyed back heel to set up Memphis Depay for a wasted hat-trick opportunity was sublime in midweek.

A vital supporting role would rightly see ‘Wazza’ back as United’s key player. Up top on his own, his displays are more liability than the stuff of legend.