Many thought the former Manchester United player was finished when he rejoined Everton but the 32-year-old’s position among the Premier League’s top scorers – while not really playing as a striker – proves otherwiseFourteen-goal Mohamed Salah may be the standout player of the first half of the Premier League season on Merseyside, and Manchester City are the undisputed goal kings with two players (Raheem Sterling and Sergio Agüero) reaching double figures before Christmas. Related: Sam Allardyce backs Wayne Rooney to prolong his career in a deeper role Continue reading...
Wayne Rooney made his first return to Old Trafford since leaving and it was not a happy one as his replacement Romelu Lukaku overshadowed himThe heavens opened after only three minutes and so Wayne Rooney was being soaked as Antonio Valencia flashed home a sweet volley that gave Manchester United the lead moments later. This was not the way the club’s record goalscorer imagined his return.Rooney last faced United at this venue on Boxing Day 2003 when Everton lost 3-2 against a Sir Alex Ferguson side that featured Tim Howard, Cristiano Ronaldo and David Bellion. While Rooney’s status then as Old Trafford’s golden boy was still in the future, this match might have been billed as United Past versus United...
For all the impressive records, Rooney’s time in an England shirt will always be judged by the failure to repeat his jaw-dropping form from Euro 2004There is an irony that Wayne Rooney, a player plenty, including the England manager, had considered surplus to requirements last season, has chosen to retire from international football just as the national team were wondering whether they might be in need of him again. Adam Lallana and Ross Barkley are in rehabilitation. Other forwards have yet to find form this term. Cue Gareth Southgate’s telephone call this week, the tone of which, Rooney implied, was that the former captain’s presence might be beneficial in the squad for the forthcoming qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia. Related:...
Even if Everton capture Gylfi Sigurdsson from Swansea, the big-spending Blues must still land a prolific striker after Romelu Lukaku’s departureEverton’s spending will break the £150m barrier should they finally meet Swansea’s asking price for Gylfi Sigurdsson but the cost of challenging the Champions League clique is likely to rise higher. Not even the return of Wayne Rooney to Goodison Park, with his throwback goal in Tanzania, deflects from the need to reconstruct Ronald Koeman’s attack following the exit of Romelu Lukaku. The finishing touches of an unprecedented spree could prove the most important. Related: Swansea warn Everton over Sigurdsson and raise question of tapping up Related: Wayne Rooney rekindles his Everton love affair and wants to play up front...
The striker is leaving for Everton as a record scorer and multiple trophy winner but a large constituency of fans will not mourn his departureThe oddity of Wayne Rooney’s glittering 13-year Manchester United career is that he departs for Everton to only muted applause. Despite a record that features a glut of trophies and personal achievements a strong sense of “Ta-ra Wayne, it’s about time” prevails among supporters.This can be traced to the perception Rooney never adopted the fitness regime required to reach the heights of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and the disquiet he caused when twice in three years nearly exiting the club. Related: Wayne Rooney and Everton are well placed for a fruitful and warm reunion |...