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games against each other. I think I’ve played more than 20 times against United in my career and not once was he not part of their team.”

Kompany insists time has not dimmed Rooney’s quality, as the former England captain starts the next chapter of his career at Goodison Park.

“Even the goal he scored for Everton at the weekend against Stoke, the way he recognises that he needs to get in the box, marks him out.

“I don’t think many players could have done that. We can all play the pass he played,