MONDAY SHOWDOWN ROONEY’S SUPPORT WON’T WANE
Mourinho adamant that United fans will never turn on skipper
MANCHESTER UNITED want Antoine Griezmann to replace Wayne Rooney. Old Trafford chiefs believe the 25-year-old Atletico Madrid striker is the man to take over from the under-pressure United skipper. Sunday People Sport last month revealed United’s interest in the £80million-rated France star, but since then more talks have been held. Although boss Jose Mourinho has been supportive of Rooney, who has started the last three United games on the bench, he doesn’t see a long-term future at Old Trafford for his captain. It’s likely that Rooney will be given the chance to make lucrative moves either to China or the USA once Griezmann has been landed. Rooney not to start on a trip to Anfield. Now he is in a changing landscape where he is no longer the central figure. If, as expected, Rooney doesn’t start Mourinho will be the sole focus of Anfield’s attention. And if he was disliked by Liverpool fans before becoming United manager he’ll feel their full wrath as soon as he steps off the bus tomorrow. Liverpool fans haven’t forgiven the Portuguese for running JOSE MOURINHO insists Wayne Rooney retains the total respect of Old Trafford.
Rooney can expect his usual hostile reception from Liverpool fans at Anfield tomorrow whether he is in Mourinho’s starting line-up or not.
After being booed and jeered by England fans during the Wembley win over Malta a week ago a rough ride from the Kop will be nothing new for Rooney.
But Mourinho believes United fans will never boo the 30- year- old after his 12 years and countless stand-out moments at Old Trafford.
Booed
Mourinho, who has given his captain no hint of a return to the starting side, said: “He was not booed by Manchester United fans. And to be honest, the last match when he went through the warm-up, I was feeling Old Trafford was behind him.
“They were immediately supporting him during the warm-up before he came on against Stoke so I think at Manchester United he feels at home.
“At Manchester United he feels the respect he deserves, not at Anfield obviously, but he knows that here at this club he is respected.”
It once would have been unthinkable for a fit up the Anfield touchline in wild celebration in 2014 when a 2-0 Chelsea win ended their title hopes after the infamous Steven Gerrard slip.
Add that to the Luis Garcia ‘ ghost’ goal controversy in the 2005 Champions League semifinal on Merseyside and it’s not hard to see why Mourinho will get a hard time.
“I celebrated like that because you know what happened before that match?” Mourinho said.
“Chelsea had a Champions League semi-final to play and we wanted to play obviously on the Saturday because we played Tuesday in the Champions League semi-final. But we had to play Liverpool on the Sunday when Atletico Madrid