Wayne Rooney ended his 13 year spell at Manchester United last week to join former club Everton and shortly after the news was announced, the 31-year-old said he was enthusiastic about the future.
"I'm coming back because I feel the club can move forward & be successful." Rooney said. The 31-year-old lifted five Premier League titles, three League Cups and a Champions League trophy during his time at Old Trafford, but it was obvious that it was time for the striker to move on.
Rooney found himself on the bench more than he anticipated last season, as the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan flourished under Jose Mourinho.
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Rooney found himself getting frustrated when being dragged off last season. Image: BT Sport
It seemed the right deal for both parties, but just days after he joined his boyhood club, the former Manchester United forward has been criticised for his comments about his former side.
Rooney said the following about his time at Manchester United:
"There are standards that you have to keep when you are at United. That came from the manager Sir Alex Ferguson when I went to United and it was then passed down through the dressing room by the likes of Giggsy, Gary Neville and Scholesy.
"Over the last few years, it was down to me and Michael Carrick to keep the new players maintaining those standards.
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"That became more difficult over the last few years, with some of the players who joined the club."
Image: PA
Rooney then went onto state that it has become more difficult to sustain standards of years gone by:
"There are traditions at United that have to be maintained. It's become harder, but that's not my problem any more. I'm just ecstatic to be back at Everton."
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Is Rooney right on this occasion?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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It's certainly been a popular debate on social media in the past 24 hours or so.
