Manchester United Everton: Louis Saha backing Reds but thinks Wayne Rooney will shine

LOUIS SAHA is backing Wayne Rooney to score on his emotional return to Old Trafford tomorrow – but can understand if he is reluctant to celebrate.

Wayne RooneyGETTY

Wayne Rooney returns to Old Trafford for Everton

Saha reckons Manchester United will pile on the misery for Everton by inflicting their fourth successive defeat and tips the man who replaced Rooney, Romelu Lukaku, to continue his hot streak.

Former France international Saha, who played for United and Everton, is convinced Rooney will receive a warm reception from United fans who will acknowledge his 13-year spell at the club when he helped them win every major honour in club football and became their all-time record scorer with 253 goals.

“Rooney will find a way to score,” said Saha. “I’m scared for United that he can find different ways.

“It will be interesting to see how United handle the pressure of not having as much possession and also having more pressure placed on their defence as they haven’t been in challenged in their games so far.

“But I will go for a 2-1 win for United. They are title contenders. They look really strong and really composed. I really like the signing of Lukaku. I like United’s attack.

“Lukaku will score – he has got everything. He’s strong and he can play in different styles.

Louis SahaGETTY

Louis Saha turning out for Manchester United Legends against Barcelona Legends recently

Rooney will find a way to score. I’m scared for United that he can find different ways

Louis Saha

“Sometimes it’s very tough, there is no space and not a lot of chances, but with Lukaku’s strength, he can hold the ball and he can create his own chances. He’s definitely the type of player who can still improve.”

Because of Rooney’s longevity at United, Saha can understand if he is reluctant to celebrate if he scores, but does not believe it will be a problem for Lukaku if he finds the net against the Merseyside club where he spent four seasons.

“I don’t see why Lukaku can’t celebrate but I can see why Rooney can’t and would hesitate to do so,” said Saha. “I think it will be an emotional moment for him.”

Saha reckons Everton was the only obvious choice for Rooney when he decided to leave United because Goodison Park is where he launched his career, he has unfinished business at what has always been his spiritual home, and also because the move to Merseyside meant he didn’t have to uproot his family.

“He clearly decided he wanted a new challenge and as a player you always want to play in every game and he was starting to find that harder in this new-look United team,” said Saha.

Romelu LukakuGETTY

Saha praised the impact of Romelu Lukaku at Old Trafford

Man Utd V Everton: The Big Call With Louis Saha

“Everton is such a great club to join after being at United and many players have made that move in the last few years, including myself. It’s because the transition is not hard because Everton are always competitive and want to win trophies.

“Wayne will be able to make history there. It’s a great move for Wayne, family-wise as well as football because his wife is having a fourth child and he can have his family around and doesn’t need to move house.

“There’s a lot of stuff outside of football that made him make the choice to go back there and I respect that.”

Jose Mourinho described Rooney as “one of the most important players in the club’s history” and thinks fans should afford him the respect he deserves before and after the game – but not during the 90 minutes when he knows United’s former captain will be desperate to secure the three points.

“I think he will get the welcome that he deserves,” said Mourinho. “Sometimes in this country, the word legend comes too easily. That’s not the case here. He is a real legend of this club – for the number of appearances, the number of goals, the number of trophies.

Rooney SahaGETTY

Rooney and Saha playing together back in 2006

“Clearly he is one of the most important players in the history of Manchester United. And I think the stadium will show him the respect he deserves, I hope, before and after the match, not during the match.”

Mourinho is delighted with Lukaku’s impressive start since he moved in the opposite direction but believes it will be hard for him to match Rooney’s goals tally even if he stays at Old Trafford for the bulk of his career because Premier League clubs have become better organised in tactical terms.

“Romelu has come here at the right time in his career,” said Mourinho. “He is only 24 but Wayne arrived much earlier than that. Wayne spent probably 10 years of his career in a different Premier League than you have now. A Premier League where it was easier to score goals not just because of the difference between the top teams and others but also because of the profile and the tactical interpretation of the competition. This Premier League is much more defensive minded and much more difficult.”

Louis Saha has made the Big Call with online betting site BetStars. He is backing Manchester United to beat Everton 2-1. #Callit at www.betstars.uk/sites/football/manutd-everton

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