Manchester United wary of making a big deal over Wayne Rooney’s return to Old Trafford
WAYNE ROONEY will get no special treatment ahead of Sunday's emotional first return to Manchester United.
The striker, who rejoined Everton in the summer, is the Red Devils’ record goalscorer with 253.
United want to respect Roo but are aware of what happened when Cristiano Ronaldo returned with Real Madrid in 2013.
His name was announced last to the ecstatic crowd and he ended up scoring in a 2-1 Champions League win.
Yet United winger Ashley Young says there are no doubts over Rooney’s legendary status.
Young said: “Obviously, he was here a long time and was a great servant to the club.
“A lot has been said about him but he has not got legendary status for no reason.”
Striker Romelu Lukaku looked to be heading for Chelsea in the summer until United agreed a £90million deal with Everton.
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Boss Jose Mourinho said: “We paid what Everton asked for.
“The seller club is the club that decides the amount the buying club pays or doesn’t pay.”
United veteran Ryan Giggs sees no issue with Wayne Rooney celebrating if he scores.
Giggs told Sky Sports News: “If you score a goal, you hear players talk about, you sort of lose yourself and I don’t think we should get away from that.
“Show respect, don’t go over the top, but if you score a goal then celebrate. I think fans recognise that.
“Knowing Wayne, I’m sure he’ll be nervous, but relishing the chance as well and he’ll want to score because that’s his job.
“He’ll get a great reception from the United fans because he was such a great player for United in such a successful era as well.
“I’m sure he’ll be looking forward to it and the United fans will be looking forward to seeing how he does as well, hoping he doesn’t score and Wayne the opposite, hoping he does score.”
LIKELY LINE-UPS — MAN UTD: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Bailly, Darmian, Herrera, Mkhitaryan, Matic, Mata, Rashford, Lukaku.
EVERTON: Pickford, Keane, Williams, Jagielka, Holgate, Davies, Gueye, Schneiderlin, Baines, Sigurdsson, Rooney.