Wayne Rooney has lifted the lid on his frustration at being sidelined at Manchester United.
Rooney has returned to his beloved Everton because he wants to play more regularly and says it was hard sitting on the bench at Old Trafford.
“It was frustrating,” said the former United skipper.
“During my whole career, I’ve played and that was the first time where I didn’t play every game.
“I need to play so, of course, if that’s not the case, it’s frustrating.
“I was captain of Manchester United and I had to keep myself positive around the place and not be negative in the dressing room.
“Some people will accept not playing and accept playing every few weeks.
"For me, I have to play football and I believe I’m at my best when I train and play every week.”
Rooney hopes returning to Everton, where he will wear the No 10 shirt, can relaunch his England career and Gareth Southgate axed him because he was not playing regularly for United.
England’s record goalscorer hopes to force Southgate into a rethink by playing well for Everton.
“To be honest I’m not focused on that,” he said.
“I’m focused on doing well here and if I do that, Gareth Southgate will have a decision to make whether he brings me back into the squad or not.
“Hopefully with my performances for Everton, he won’t be able to ignore me.”
Rooney, 31, also insisted at his unveiling at Goodison Park that he is up for the challenge of proving himself again following his frustrations at United.
He knows the snipers have written him off because of his disappointing campaign last season and aims to prove he is far from being finished.
“I always play like I’ve got a point to prove,” he said. “I’m not coming into a retirement home here.
“I want to be successful and I feel good.
“It’s a challenge which I think has come at the right time at this point in my career and I’m ready for it.”
Rooney says his Everton-supporting family are delighted by his return to Goodison and none more so than his eldest son, Kai.
“My eldest lad is the happiest I’ve ever seen him,” he smiled. “And also my dad. He’s a big Evertonian.
“He’s gone and watched me for the last 13 years in Manchester and now he has a five-minute drive, and he's really happy.”