Everton midfielder and French international Morgan Schneiderlin has approved of Wayne Rooney’s return to Goodison Park 13 years after leaving the Toffees for Manchester United in 2004, insisting Rooney’s return will signal the striker’s renaissance.
The 31-year-old has played a fringe player role at Manchester United last season under then newly-appointed manager Jose Mourinho, despite having clinched the club’s all-time record goalscorer, ousting Sir Bobby Charlton.
Indeed, the Merseyside native made just 15 league starts last season for the Red Devils, scoring five goals and providing five assists.
The then United captain was thought to be unsatisfied with his reduced role with the club and was forced to eventually jump ship and return to Everton a few weeks ago – a move fellow United outcast Morgan Schneiderlin has approved.
Schneiderlin is no stranger to being a Manchester United outcast. The 27-year-old fell out of favour with new manager Jose Mourinho last season, with the Portuguese tactician unconvinced of the midfielder’s capabilities.
Schneiderlin was quickly shipped out by United in January.
“[Rooney] is someone who just needs to find the joy to play football again week in and week out, like was the case with me,” Schneiderlin said in Everton’s official website.
“Hopefully he will do that and find his rhythm. You could see on his face when he arrived at the training ground, when he started training, he’s happy again and he will enjoy his football again,” the French midfielder added.
Great start to the pre-season. Special thanks to the fans supporting us in Tanzania today 👏🏼👍🏼🔵 #EFC pic.twitter.com/bY0GhDI3do
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) July 13, 2017
The Frenchman added that bringing in Wayne, Manchester United and England’s record goalscorer, can only bring Everton success, saying, “He has achieved so much in his career, he’s scored so many goals and he’s a legend in the English game.
“Hopefully he will help us to win things, because that’s the main target for us,” Schneiderlin added.