The 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 Present. With Rooney donning Everton livery, the home crowd would see their 253-goal man line up against his replacement, Romelu Lukaku, whose six goals in six games was a dream start to his career after moving from Goodison Park. Rooney had scored in Everton’s first two Premier League games but nothing since.
Related: Wayne Rooney deserves a Ronaldo-style welcome at Old Trafford | Daniel Taylor
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