Wayne’s World dream lives on
True blue Roo dreamed of a Goodison comeback
WAYNE ROONEY chose to join Everton in a desperate bid to keep his World Cup hopes alive.
Rooney turned down more lucrative offers from China and America because he knew it would end his international career for good.
The 31-year-old has gone back to the Toffees on a free transfer, 13 years after leaving them for Manchester United in a £30m deal.
Starsport understands Rooney has told England boss Gareth Southgate he is determined to win back his place and wants to be part of his plans for Russia 2018.
Rooney has been left out of Southgate’s last two squads and faces a desperate battle to revive his international career.
But he is on a mission to add to his 119 appearances, overtaking Peter Shilton as the Three Lions’ most-capped star and making next
WAYNE ROONEY proved his love for Everton never wavered by wearing Toffees pyjamas during his 13-year stay at Manchester United.
The England striker completed his emotional return to Goodison Park yesterday and revealed his bizarre secret.
“To be honest, I’ve kept it quiet for the last 13 years but I’ve actually been wearing Everton pyjamas at home with my kids,” he said. “I had to keep that a bit quiet!
“It’s great. Wearing the shirt feels as special as it did 13 years ago and I’m just looking forward now to getting out on the pitch with it on.”
Rooney’s love for Everton always stayed with him – even when the Blues fans turned against him and it appeared that he had turned too.
He upset many Toffees when he forced his way to Old Trafford in 2004.
Just two years earlier a 16-year-old Rooney revealed a T-shirt celebrating a goal that declared ‘Once a Blue, Always a Blue’.
But when he returned to Goodison for the first time as a United player, one banner read “Once a Blue, now a Red, in our hearts, you are dead”. Rooney received ® abuse and often retaliated on his return trips – once kissing the United badge to rile the fans who once adored him.
But in recent years a more mature Rooney started to mend bridges with those he had previously upset.
And when he returned for Duncan Ferguson’s testimonial in 2015, it was the sign that Everton fans were starting to forgive him.
He received a warm welcome during his brief appearance but he felt at home again and mentioned how he was happy his kids got to see him in an Everton kit.
Wages
Unknown to the public, they were regularly seeing him in Toffees colours at home.
A return to Everton then was still unrealistic because of his wages at United and their current financial situation.
But once the Toffees secured the ambition and cash of investor Farhad Moshiri, it became more than a dream Rooney could have in his Everton pyjamas.
This weekend it turned into reality. “As I’ve said for the last few years, if I left Manchester United, there’s only Everton I’d play for – I wouldn’t play for another Premier League team,” said Rooney.
“I was true to that and I firmly meant that. I didn’t want to play for another club in England other than Everton.
“Once I knew Everton were interested, I told my agent, ‘Go and speak to them, let’s make it happen. That’s where I want to go’.”
Now he is back, he is determined to end Everton’s 22-year wait for silverware, a feat he admits would eclipse even his greatest achievements with United.
Rooney was at Wembley as a nine-yearold when Everton beat United in the 1995 FA Cup Final. He said: “Winning trophies with Everton would be the pinnacle. I was there in ’95 and Everton should have won more trophies since then.
“I really feel now the club is moving in the right direction, bringing in the right calibre of players. I want to be part of it and part of a successful Everton team.
“With the new stadium in the pipeline, it’s an exciting time to be an Everton player, to be an Everton fan.
“It’s on us players to make those times even more exciting by giving them good performances and try to help them be successful and bring trophies to the club.
“I firmly believe we have the potential to be a success in the league and there’s the cup competitions. We’re certainly capable of winning one of those cups.”