Wednesday 20 September 2017 13:24, UK
Wayne Rooney showed "courage" on his Old Trafford return and will not want to be rested despite "a difficult time", says Phil Neville.
The former Manchester United captain has continued to lead the line for Everton since the incident took place on September 1, with the club slipping to their fourth straight defeat at the hands of his old employers on Sunday.
Rooney has reportedly asked to play in the Toffees' Carabao Cup tie against Sunderland on Wednesday, and Neville has backed his former team-mate to lead from the front.
"You wouldn't want anyone else in this type of situation other than Wayne Rooney," Neville told Sky Sports News, speaking at the launch of University Academy 92 - a joint venture between the Class of 92 and Lancaster University to offer students higher education in Trafford.
"He's going through a difficult time at the moment but he started so well and from what I saw on Sunday I saw a player that still had the ability to play at the top level, the courage to take the ball and take responsibility and there's no better person.
"He will be in that dressing room, passing on his experiences, he'll want to play every minute of every game - he won't want to be rested.
"As an Evertonian I think he'll be an unbelievable success there."
Everton have just four points and lie in the relegation zone after their opening five Premier League games this season, despite spending more than £100m on signings this summer.
Ronald Koeman hit back at Jose Mourinho for claiming Everton should be fighting for a top-four place, given the money they have spent.
Neville has warned supporters not to expect results to change any time soon, but backed Koeman to eventually turn things around.
"It actually hasn't surprised me," said Neville, when asked about Everton's start to the season. "When you buy that many players and change the squad that much it's going to take time for it all to gel.
"They were criticised for their performance at Old Trafford last week, but there were signs there is the making of a good team.
"To integrate those players is going to be difficult and it's going to take all the experience of Ronald Koeman.
"It wouldn't surprise me if it takes even to the next international break in November, for this team to start picking up results.
"They're lacking a centre-forward, someone who is going to score goals. The team have to start scoring, the defenders through to the forwards, [Gylfi] Sigurdsson, [Davy] Klaassen, [Wayne] Rooney, Sandro.
"It doesn't look great but they've certainly got the manager that can turn it around."
