Jose Mourinho: Wayne Rooney could return to Manchester United one day
Former Manchester United captain and club legend Wayne Rooney was greeted with a warm response in return to Old Trafford on Sunday, and manager Jose Mourinho believes that Rooney could one day yet again return to Old Trafford — but as a Red once again.
Rooney is United’s all-time leading goal scorer and has won 12 major trophies with the club, and despite his return to Everton under Mourinho’s leadership, could one day play a role for the club once again, per ESPNFC.
A club ambassador role is the most speculated future position for England’s all-time leading scorer, however, Rooney’s future may be along the touch-line.
Jose Mourinho said this when asked about Rooney’s reception at Old Trafford: “It’s the nature of English fans, it’s the nature of big clubs when the player is big in the club and is an important part of the club history,” he said of the ovation Rooney received.
"“He’s at home and I believe that one day he will be back home.”"
There is no doubt that Rooney could benefit any club that saw it fit for him to join its coaching staff — but one gets the feeling that United would be the perfect fit.
Club legend Ryan Giggs assisted both David Moyes and Louis van Gaal during their tenure at Old Trafford — Rooney could easily find himself in a similar position.
A product of Everton’s youth system, Rooney has played in England his entire career — including 13 seasons at Old Trafford.
Rooney could be a great mentor for United’s next wave of young high-profile talents. As he himself is one of the few English teens to survive and exceed the expectations that a whole country placed upon his shoulders.
Rooney has never been shy to express his desire one day manage.
“I’d love to go into management. I’m doing my badges now and I think it would be a waste to have the knowledge I’ve picked up over the years to not have a go at it,” said Rooney in an interview with TalkSport. “I’ve always been interested in watching games, and the tactical side of games, and speaking to the managers I’ve worked under about how we’re going to approach certain games.”.
More from Red Devil Armada
- Aaron Wan Bissaka out for ‘several weeks’ with injury
- Manchester United break an unwanted record after Brighton loss
- Sofyan Amrabat set to miss game against Brighton
- Preview: Manchester United vs Brighton – What you need to know
- Jadon Sancho set to train away from first team squad
Rooney has learned from arguably the greatest club manager of all-time in Sir Alex Ferguson, and surely some of his lessons have rubbed off.
“Fergie (Sir Alex Ferguon) was the best. Nothing was complicated. I think nowadays sometimes there is a bit too much information and thought going into it.”
The 31-year old still may have a few more years of playing left in his legs, but it’s reported United may have some sort of deal lined up for him in 2019 should he choose to hang his boots up then.
ESPNFC reports that he could earn around ‘£100,000 as a club ambassador’ — a fraction of his once United weekly wage.
Next: Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku’s celebration was “just a bit of banter”
There is no doubt Rooney wouldn’t be welcomed back to the club with open arms — as an ambassador or preferably as an assistant. He scored 253 goals in 559 appearances for the Red Devils, and he could have a massive impact on the future of Manchester United should he return.