Jose Mourinho: 'I could not stand in Wayne Rooney's way'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 09 July 2017

Mourinho: 'I couldn't stand in Rooney's way'

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says that he could not stand in the way of Wayne Rooney's desire to return to boyhood club Everton this summer.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has said that he could not stand in the way of Wayne Rooney returning to boyhood club Everton this summer.

The 31-year-old this afternoon sealed his switch back to Goodison Park 13 years after leaving for United, having seen first-team chances become limited at Old Trafford under Mourinho last season.

Rooney leaves the Red Devils as their all-time leading goalscorer and having won every major trophy available to him, and Mourinho confirmed that the striker will forever hold a place in United's history books.

"It is no secret that I have long been an admirer of Wayne; he has been a model professional throughout his time at the club and will remain in the history books for many years to come," he told the club's official website.

"It is never easy to see a great player playing less football than he would like and I could not stand in his way when he asked to go back to Everton. His experience, focus and determination will be missed and I wish him well for the future."

Rooney joins Everton for an undisclosed fee, signing a two-year contract with the Merseysiders.