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.