Everton visit Manchester United this weekend in a game with plenty of huge storylines. Obviously, it begins with the return of Wayne Rooney, who is suiting up for the visitors for the first time in 13 years.
Another big brand name star forward, Romelu Lukaku, went the other way in the summer transfer window, so he also gets the chance to face his former team for the firs time in this fixture. United Manager Jose Mourinho met the media a few minutes hours ago to preview this one and here’s what he had to say (video available at this link).
“I think that he will get the welcome he deserves,” said Mourinho of the much ballyhooed Rooney return.
He then called on fans to show their support before and after, but not during the match.
“I think sometimes the word ‘legend’ in this country comes too easily. That’s not the situation in his case – he’s a real legend, with the number of goals he scored and trophies he won.
“He’s clearly one of the most important players in Manchester United’s history and I think the stadium will show him that respect he deserves. I hope [that happens] before the match and after the match, not during the match.”
“He’s a Everton player now and I’m not going to speak about Wayne more than I already have. He’s a legend of this club, he deserves to be welcomed that way but during the match he’s an Everton player that wants to win the match.”
On Lukaku and his £75 million move, Mourinho offered this:
“He’s playing well, there’s a good relation with the way our striker and the way the team plays, and I’m happy with that relation between the striker and the team. I think Romelu comes in the right moment, at a good age, with a good number of years of experience in different clubs in the Premier League.”
“He’s clearly a player already adapted to the Premier League, with good friends already in this dressing room, with an easy interaction into our group. He came at the right moment in his career.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now and Minute Media. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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