They are three points behind fourth-placed Arsenal and 11 off leaders Chelsea, who both play on Sunday. Rooney, so often the fulcrum of the United side since joining from Everton as an 18-year-old in 2004, has had to make do with a bit-part role under Jose Mourinho this season. Indeed, this 546th appearance came from the bench, but still delivered a moment of history. United had been frustrated for so long by Stoke's stoic defence and their own wastefulness, and a free-kick awarded just outside the home penalty area looked to be the visitors' last chance as five minutes of added time ticked down.
Rooney, largely ineffective since joining the action, looked prime to cross, but instead arced a wonderful, dipping, right-footed shot inside the far post past the previously unbeatable Grant. The 31-year-old, who surpassed Charlton's England scoring record in 2015, beat the club mark that had stood since 1973 and gave United a point that looked to have gone.