Lukaku proving his worth
Rooney’s return to Old Trafford a tough day at the office
It was something of a nightmare return to the Theatre of Dreams for Wayne Rooney. He did not play badly — far from it, he was Everton’s best performer — but after the warm reception there was the rout.
Rooney was substituted before Everton shipped three late goals that not just turned this defeat into a 4-0 drubbing but also dropped them into the relegation places. To add salt to that wound, the 31-year-old’s replacement, Romelu Lukaku, cupped his ear to the Everton fans as their former forward celebrated his goal, making it five in as many Premier League matches since his £75 million move, before later claiming it was “just a bit of banter”.
In a tale of two strikers, and to add to Rooney’s angst on the day before he makes an appearance at Stockport Magistrates’ Court, charged with drink-driving, he missed a crucial chance. A chance he would have dreamt of, in front of the Stretford End, where his name has resonated so often in the past 13 years, when the score was 1-0.
Everton were gaining some control after being overwhelmed at times during the first half. The ball broke to Rooney from Tom Davies, but his close-range shot was blocked by United’s outstanding goalkeeper, David de Gea.
Would it have made a difference? Maybe. De Gea also saved well from Gylfi Sigurdsson and late on from substitute Sandro Ramirez, tipping over his long-range shot, but while Everton did not deserve to lose so emphatically, and while United did not play as well as they have this season, the result, if not the score, was certainly correct.
That score has added importance as it took United level at the top of the table with Manchester City on goal difference — plus 14 — as well as points, 13.
Everton have now not won in the league since the opening day of the season and are winless in 12 league matches away from home for the first time in 13 years.
For United, they are evolving quickly into a post-Rooney team with the focus on Lukaku.
Rooney was afforded a respectful return.
“Welcome back No 10 Wayne Rooney,” had called the stadium announcer.
Within four minutes, though, Rooney was stung as Antonio Valencia scored the kind of goal his former team-mate used to strike to give United an early lead.
Nemanja Matic swept the ball across the front of the penalty area, it took one bounce and sat up invitingly for Valencia to strike a wonderful half-volley that tore past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. It was only Valencia’s second goal since January 2014.
Lukaku should have killed the contest when he was put clear by the impressive Juan Mata. Lukaku checked, to lose Ashley Williams, but then somehow steered his shot wide of a post.
But Everton survived for a time; United became careless. But warnings were not heeded by Everton.
Lukaku set up the unmarked Henrikh Mkhitaryan to score, Matic’s shot ricocheted and fell to Lukaku who scored home and Anthony Martial finished things off from the penalty spot.
United were top with Rooney looking on forlornly from the dugout. At least he was already off the pitch by then.
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