Wayne Rooney deserves legend's welcome on Old Trafford return, says Jose Mourinho
Wayne Rooney will be welcomed as a "real legend" when he returns to Old Trafford this weekend, according to Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho.
England's record goalscorer left United to return to boyhood club Everton this summer after 13 successful years with the Red Devils.
Rooney, who since returning to Merseyside has retired from international football, is also the highest scorer in United's history and this Sunday returns to the club where he scored a record 253 goals in 559 appearances.
Mourinho expects the Old Trafford faithful to show the 31-year-old the appreciation he deserves, but the United boss hopes supporters put that welcome on hold during the match.
"I think that he will get the welcome that he deserves," the Portuguese said.
"I think sometimes in this country the word 'legend' comes too easily. That's not his case, he's a real legend of the club.
"The number of appearances, the number of goals, the number of trophies - I think clearly he's one of the most important players in the history of Manchester United.
"And I think the stadium will show him that respect that he deserves, I hope before the match and after the match, not during the match."
Everton arrive at Old Trafford on Sunday - a day before Rooney faces a charge of drink driving at Stockport Magistrates' Court - looking to end a miserable run of form.
Ronald Koeman's men have conceded eight goals in defeats to Chelsea, Tottenham and Atalanta, with that three-match losing streak the tail-end of a five-game winless run.
"I'm not going to analyse in that perspective," Mourinho said.
"I am just going to say it is a team with an incredible investment.
"An investment (on a par with) the teams that want to play for the title, so I am sure that their objective, if not the title, is the top four.
"So lots of good players, a good team, a very difficult match for us."
While Everton have threats in their armoury, they know better than anyone what a handful Romelu Lukaku will pose.
Signed from the Toffees for an initial £75million over the summer, the Belgium striker has netted six goals in as many games in a seamless start to life at United.
"I think he came to us at the right moment - (at) a good age, (with a) good number of years of experience in different clubs in the Premier League," Mourinho added.
"Clearly he is a player who has adapted to the Premier League, with good friends already in this dressing room, with an easy integration in our group and the way the team is trying to play also has a good relation with his qualities as a player
"So I think he came in the right moment in his career."
