Manchester United defender Daley Blind has said he believes Wayne Rooney's move to Everton was "the best thing for him."
Rooney left Old Trafford to return to his boyhood club in the summer after 13 seasons at United.
He had been restricted to just 15 Premier League starts in his final campaign, during which he broke the club's goal scoring record.
The former United captain will return to Old Trafford for the first time when Jose Mourinho's side host Everton on Sunday.
Blind told Sky Sports: "He wanted to play more than he did [last season]. I think this is the best thing for him.
"Everton came for him, which is home. He is still a great player, a great personality, and I am lucky I have played with him.
"You can see he is very important already. He is there working hard like he always did for us -- giving assists and making goals, and that is what he is capable of."
While Rooney headed to Goodison Park in the summer, Romelu Lukaku moved the other way in a £75 million deal.
Everton have struggled to score goals without the Belgium international, with their two in four Premier League games both having been scored by Rooney.
Lukaku, meanwhile, has made a flying start with 10 goals in eight matches for club and country, and Blind added: "He is already important for us.
"But it's not just him, it's the team. We are competing at the top of the Premier League now, and that is where we want to be.
"We have to be aware that we have to give our best every time in every game to stay there -- that is up to us."
United will be without Paul Pogba against Everton after the France international suffered a hamstring injury during the Champions League win over Basel on Tuesday.
Blind said: "I don't need to describe what kind of player he is and how important he is for the team.
"But now other players have to stand up and we have the squad and the players to do that.
"When you are injured it is always frustrating. You want to be involved in the team, but he knows the team is there for him when he needs us."