Jose Mourinho tells Manchester United to give Wayne Rooney the welcome he deserves as a club legend
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JOSE MOURINHO has urged Manchester United fans to give Wayne Rooney a fitting welcome back to Old Trafford on Sunday.
The club's all-time leading scorer makes his first return to the club since leaving in the summer to join Everton.
And the United boss wants his achievements to be recognised before and after - just not during the match itself.
He said: "I think he'll get the welcome that he deserves, I think sometimes the word 'legend' comes too easily.
"He's a real legend of the club.
"The number of appearances, goals, trophies., clearly he's one of the most important players in the history of Manchester United.
"I think the stadium will show him the respect he deserves.
"I hope before the match and after but not during it."
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While Rooney is returning to his old haunt, the match also represents the first time Romelu Lukaku faces Everton since his move to United in the summer.
Lukaku has hit top form straight away following his £75million switch to Old Trafford, scoring six goals in six games in all competitions.
And Mourinho believes United have managed to capture the signing of a player hitting the best stage of his career.
Mourinho added: "He comes in the right moment, he's a good age, a good number of years of experience, clearly a player adapted to the Premier League with good friends already in this dressing room.
"He's had an easy integration in our group. The way the team is trying to play he has a good relation.
"He's come in the right moment of his career."
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