Could Jose Mourinho’s decision to leave Rooney on the bench pave the way for a surprise return to Everton?
Wayne Rooney was dropped by Mourinho today
It may not have come as a surprise to find Rooney on the bench in today’s game against Leicester, with the striker’s recent a talking point of concern for Manchester United fans.
With Mourinho today favouring youngster Marcus Rashford ahead of Rooney, where does this leave the 30-year old’s future at United?
Rooney is a player who needs game-time, if Mourinho continues to leave the striker out of United’s squad, could this mean that the player may want to leave Old Trafford?
Here’s five reasons why a move to former club Everton could be a feasible choice:
Mourinho doesn’t want Rooney
Mourinho’s decision resulted in a comfortable 4-1 victory to Leicester
Mourinho’s intentions towards Rooney were made clear when the ruthless manager dropped the captain against the Foxes, and he only came on to the pitch for the final ten minutes of United’s 4-1 victory.
The scoreline is an indication that Rooney was not missed from the Red Devils Xl. After suffering two successive defeats in the Premier League, a victory against Leicester means that it’s likely that Mourinho will continue to stick with his winning side without Rooney.
Everton are on the up
When Rooney left Everton in 2004, the Blues were a team with no prospects or money. Everton’s then manager David Moyes had no choice in selling the striker to the Red Devils. Fast-forward to now and the Blues are a team with a bright future ahead of them.
With new billionaire majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri behind the Blues, the once impossible task of affording Rooney’s wages is no longer an issue. Moshiri has made his intentions clear that he has big plans for Everton – including a new stadium.
Rooney needs to be playing every week
England’s Wayne Rooney
Rooney is a player who has to play every week, as he is not a naturally fit player. If Mourinho continues to drop the striker then this will affect Rooney’s performances. Without game time then this will also affect his chances of playing for England. At Everton, Rooney would be guaranteed first team football and would make a significant impact to the Blues team – especially as the Toffees are in need of another goal scorer up front.
A chance to reunite with Duncan Ferguson
A move back to Merseyside would mean that Rooney would be coached by his good friend Duncan Ferguson, the pair played together during Rooney’s time at Everton. The striker also returned to Goodison in 2015 for Ferguson’s testimonial.
The fact there are still old faces at the club that he would recognise would be a big positive for the England man.
He’s an Evertonian at heart
Everton is Rooney’s childhood club, the striker joined the academy there at the age of nine. Rooney doesn’t seem like the type of player to favour moving abroad which is why a move to Everton could be the perfect end to his footballing career. A return to Goodison would no doubt be welcomed from fans.
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