Rooney still has nerves ahead of his latest debut
WAYNE ROONEY admits to being nervous as he counts down to the start of his second Premier League career with Everton on Saturday.
Rooney scored a hat-trick on his Manchester United debut, but his ambitions this time round are more modest.
“Obviously, it will be an emotional and special day. Nerves are just a normal part of the build-up to any game for me,” he says. “You have to put them aside once you’re on the pitch. But, before every game, there are nerves because you’re thinking about it so much.
“The priority is to get the win, but, if I do get a goal, that will be perfect.”
The last time Rooney played against Everton’s first opponents, Stoke City, he scored the goal that broke Sir Bobby Charlton’s all-time Manchester United scoring record.
“That was a huge moment for me as a player,” he says. “I was very proud to overtake Sir Bobby.
“It was one of the highlights of my last season at United along with winning the two trophies, although that was tough because you didn’t feel you were part of it.
“The record is a good legacy to leave behind, and I will always have great memories of a very successful time for the club.
“I don’t know if my total will ever be beaten. You never know if they get someone like Messi or Ronaldo!
“In football these days, players don’t really tend to stay at clubs. But if they get a player who will stay for a long period of time, he might have a chance to do it.
“I loved it at United, loved working with the players there. But it was the right time for me to move on.”