End of a glittering Old Trafford era as Rooney rejoins Everton

Wayne Rooney has ended his 13-year United career and rejoined former club Everton on a free transfer.

The United captain leaves Old Trafford having made an indelible mark on our club's recent history having eclipsed Sir Bobby as leading scorer with 253 goals in 559 appearances. 

Three of those will surely go down as among the greatest United have ever seen.
There was the angry volley against Newcastle that almost blew the Stretford End net to pieces, his overhead kick winner in the derby and the halfway line lob at Upton Park in 2014. 

Since he signed from Goodison Park as a precociously gifted 17 year old, Rooney has sent records tumbling and won every major honour in the domestic and European game. 

He won five Premier League titles, an FA Cup, three League Cups, the Champions League, Europa League and a Club World Cup. 

Despite all that - Rooney also became England's all time leading marksman in 2015 - there remains a baffling sense of unfulfilled potential.

His move away should come as no surprise, with Rooney having always expressed a desire to      end his career back where it began.
Pushed out of the United starting XI last season, he was left out of both cup finals and it has been apparent for some time that the curtain was coming down on his Old Trafford career. 

Between his arrival in 2004 and that ill-fated World Cup red card two years later, Rooney led the way as 'senior' youngster to the emerging superstar of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Rooney looked set to be the player more likely to hit the astonishing heights that the Portuguese has gone on to reach. 

The captain outshone Ronaldo at United, scoring more and winning more trophies with the club, but yet we're told Rooney has not lived up to his dazzling early promise.

Maybe it's because he peaked unusually young, never nailed down a best position (preferring the role of the "street footballer" by filling in anywhere), or that the genuine affection afforded to other United greats largely remained elusive. 

There were the two high profile attempts to wrangle a move away, citing the club's lack of ambition, his accent and possibly his status as an expensive export from Liverpool. 

Maybe, as with David Beckham, the passing of time will allow Rooney's United career to be judged more favourably.
Certainly, if recent history is anything to go by, it will be a while before any such newcomer arrives at United and creates the unforgettable legacy 'Wazza' has left behind. 

Thank you for everything, skip...