Would a Rooney summer move to Everton benefit everybody?

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney’s long-term future at the club is in doubt

There has been a lot of speculation about the future of Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney of late.

The veteran forward has recently issued a statement saying he is staying with United, amid speculation that he was set for a lucrative move to China.

However, Rooney may stay with United for the rest of the season, but what about beyond the summer?

The 31-year-old seems to be being phased out at United by boss Jose Mourinho. The former Chelsea boss is a big fan of Rooney’s, but the forward’s recent decline has been obvious to see.

An emotional return to Everton

Much has been said about Wayne Rooney potentially returning to Everton to end his career. He is a lifelong Toffees fan and started his professional career with his boyhood club. Any Everton return for Rooney would depend on many factors.

First United would have to agree to let the forward leave. With his influence at United on Trafford on the wane (pardon the pun) the Red Devils may be open to selling their record ever goalscorer.

The second factor would be if Everton would actually be interested in signing Rooney. Given the decline in Rooney’s influence in general, they may not be, although boss Ronald Koeman is a big fan of the England international.

The third factor would be if Rooney would be willing to put heart before his wallet. Everton do have a new rich majority shareholder, but the forward would likely have to take a big pay-cut to join the Toffees. Whether that would be viable for the star remains to be seen.

Koeman is building a strong side

Everton boss Ronald Koeman is steadily building a new team at Everton. The emphasis for the Dutchman has been strengthening his team, while also lowering the average age of his squad.

The recent introductions to the first team of the likes of Mason Holgate and Ademola Lookman show that Koeman is looking to build on the young players at the club. With that in mind signing Rooney, who will be 32 in October, may seem like a backwards step for the Toffees.

Evertonian’s took Rooney’s exit from the club hard, but as time has passed their opinions on Rooney have slightly changed. The forward has seemingly never stopped loving his boyhood club and a move back to home would maybe be ideal for Rooney.

Rooney may not be at the peak of his physical powers, but still, has tremendous experience and passion for the game. Rooney’s football intelligence is still well and truly intact as well.

He could still play on for a few years in the top-flight. However, maybe he will move back to a less advanced position in the future.

Rooney was used as a central midfielder in the past at United and for England. Unfortunately for the forward the centre of the Toffees midfield is the strongest area of their team.

Rooney may not start League Cup final

Wayne Rooney has just returned from injury and has started only three games since Christmas. However, the forward will feature in Manchester United’s League Cup final clash against Southampton on Sunday, in a game that United are odds of 3/ 4 to win.

The England international will be in the United squad for Sunday’s games, but he is not guaranteed to start the game, as boss Mourinho has stated he will only pick his best 11 players against the Saints. The fact that Rooney is not guaranteed a start in a cup final tells us a lot about his current status at United.

Wayne Rooney is no longer the star he used to be. Questions about his future at Manchester United are understandable because the Red Devils have alternative attacking options, although in-form Armenian star Henrikh Mkhitaryan is unlikely to be fit to play in the EFL Cup final.

For the rest of the season Rooney will be concentrating on Manchester United. However, come the summer it is impossible to rule out an emotional return to Everton.

Would a summer move to Everton benefit everybody?