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Mourinho: Rooney will 'get the welcome that he deserves' at Old Trafford

Michael Dalder / Reuters

Wayne Rooney is second to nobody when it comes to scoring at Manchester United.

The English attacker tallied 253 goals over the course of 13 years with the Red Devils, surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton's club record. The footballer will pull on a blue shirt at Old Trafford on Sunday when he returns to Manchester for the first time since going back to Everton, but Jose Mourinho believes there will be respect.

On Friday, two days before United and Everton clash in the Premier League, Mourinho said that Rooney deserves a legend's welcome at Old Trafford and referred to his former pupil as "one of the most important players" in the Red Devils' history.

"I think he'll get the welcome that he deserves," Mourinho declared, according to the Guardian's Jamie Jackson. "Sometimes the word 'legend' comes too easily (but) he's a real legend of the club. The number of appearances, goals, trophies - clearly he's one of the most important players in the history of Manchester United. I think the stadium will show him the respect he deserves. I hope before the match and after but not during it."

Rooney scored on the Premier League's first two matchdays but is without a goal in his last four appearances in all competitions, a drought that mirrors the Toffees' poor run of form as the club is winless in its last three matches in all competitions.

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