Belgian star has higher standards to meet, says Rooney

LONDON: Wayne Rooney has warned Romelu Lukaku it won’t be easy for him at Manchester United – then described how “ecstatic” he was having rejoined Everton.

The two strikers traded places last week, with Lukaku heading to Old Trafford for £75mil (RM422mil) and Rooney returning to Goodison Park on a free. And as Lukaku looks to bed in under Jose Mourinho’s United revolution, the man whose boots he is stepping in believes success might not come too easy for the Belgian hitman.

And in a broadside at the current crop of players at Old Trafford, Rooney hinted there is a distinct lack of leaders in the dressing room.

The England striker said: “There are standards that you have to keep when you are at Manchester United.

“That came from the manager Alex Ferguson when I went to United and it was then passed down through the dressing room by the likes of Giggsy, Gary Neville and Scholesy.

“Over the last few years, it was down to me and Michael Carrick to keep the new players maintaining those standards.

“That became more difficult over the last few years, with some of the players who joined the club.

“There are traditions at United that have to be maintained. It’s become harder, but that’s not my problem any more.

“I’m just ecstatic to be back at Everton.”

Rooney marked his emotional return to the club he left to join Manchester United 13 years ago with a goal on his debut in a friendly against Kenyan side Gor Mahia.

Lukaku couldn’t replicate that, however, on his Manchester United debut, missing a few chances in their 5-2 victory against LA Galaxy on their United States tour. — The Sun, London