REUNITED

Old Trafford fans will treat Rooney like royalty when he returns.. SAYS DAVID MOYES

MANCHESTER UNITED will afford Wayne Rooney a king’s reception when he returns to Old Trafford tomorrow.

United and England’s record goalscorer is back at the Theatre of Dreams for the first time since rejoining his boyhood club, Everton.

David Moyes, who managed Rooney at Everton and United, is convinced the forward will be treated like royalty on his return after what he achieved in 13 years there.

“I think he’ll be given a reception like a king after everything he achieved at United,” Moyes told Mirror Sport.

“Wayne served United incredibly well, through the best years of his career, and became their all-time leading goalscorer.

“It will be emotional for him, I’m sure, going back, but everything that been put in front of Wayne, he’s always been able to handle.

“Since he was 16, when he broke into the Everton team, then playing for England and then joining United, he’s always stepped up a level every time he’s been asked.

“United was such a big part of his career, so it will be an emotional day for him, but he knows he’s there to do a job for Everton and he’ll put that to one side.”

Rooney left United in July after 13 years, plundering 253 goals in 559 games to beat Sir Bobby Charlton’s club record of 249, which had stood

for 44 years (Rooney celebrates, below, after netting his recordbreaking 250th goal for United against Stoke in January, below right).

Against that backdrop, Moyes does not feel Rooney has anything to prove on his return, even though the 31-year-old may no longer be the rampaging forward who was among the very best in Europe at his peak.

“He was a great signing by Sir Alex Ferguson, a great player for United and England, and he doesn’t have anything to prove to anybody now,” Moyes said.

Moyes, who was in charge at Everton when Rooney broke through as a 16-yearhas old and later managed him during his brief spell at United, believes the forward made the right choice in returning to Goodison Park.

“Wayne going back to Everton was a good thing,” he said. “The supporters have welcomed him back well, which was important.

“His game has changed but, what I don’t think has changed, is his ability to score goals.

“How he plays has changed from the swashbuckling style of his first spell at Everton and his early years at United.

“He’s now having to play with more football intelligence than he did when he was younger and it’s a different challenge.”

Rooney announced his international retirement last month, after 53 goals and 119 caps for England. But Moyes reckons he may be tempted to change his mind if boss Gareth Southgate wants him at next year’s World Cup.

“England have a great group of strikers at the moment and I think Wayne has looked at that and decided to step aside,” said Moyes, who resigned as Sunderland boss at the end of last season.

“But I wouldn’t be surprised if, next summer, Gareth were to ask him to go to the World Cup, Wayne decided to come out of international retirement.

“He’s made his decision and he may stick by it, but there’s a chance he could change his mind.”

Of more immediate concern to Rooney is tomorrow, with Moyes admitting it would be typical of the striker to score on his return to United.

“Wayne will be far too respectful to celebrate if he scores,” added Moyes. “But he will be aware of the importance of the game. He’ll be up for it and I don’t think anyone would be too surprised to see him score.”