Manchester United Transfer News: Everton Open Door for Wayne Rooney Return

Everton supremo Bill Kenwright has said he would welcome Wayne Rooney back to his club, should the England captain ever want to wear the famous blue shirt again after his Manchester United career is over.

Jack Gaughan of the Mail Online writes Kenwright, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, has opened the door to a sensational return for Rooney but ultimately would leave the decision up to his manager, Roberto Martinez:

"

He [Rooney] comes back to Goodison. He's an Evertonian and his family are. He is welcome to come back. 

[...] In all honesty, all I ever do is advise. I am not sidestepping the question. It is always going to be Roberto Martinez's choice.

"

Tim Hales/Associated Press

The news that Kenwright would re-sign Rooney should not come as any surprise. Rooney has often spoken of his affection for his boyhood team and has remained in the north west of England his entire life. 

His £27 million move from Goodison Park to Old Trafford was viewed as a major investment in the teenager at the time by the Reds, but with multiple Premier League titles and Champions League final appearances under his belt, the player will always rank as one of Sir Alex Ferguson's greatest decisions in the transfer market.

Now just under a year away from his 30th birthday, Rooney is United's club captain, and the eyes and the ears of Louis van Gaal on the football pitch. 

It is a new role for the once impetuous boy wonder but one he has taken to well under the tutelage of the legendary Dutch coach.

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

The last few weeks have seen the player take up a deeper role in the United team, occupying a midfield berth which has limited Rooney's goal-and-assist contribution. This campaign, Rooney has just three goals and two assists to his name in his eight Premier League matches, per WhoScored.com.

Despite being chosen by LvG as the man to replace the popular Nemanja Vidic as skipper, Rooney still divides many United supporters in terms of his commitment to the club and his ability on the field.

Many will tell you that the player has not reached the heights he was predicted to reach despite the huge volume of trophies and medals Rooney has won in Manchester.

Jon Super/Associated Press

But football journalist Gabriele Marcotti recently poured cold water on this theory in his column for ESPN FC. Marcotti believes Rooney has fulfilled his potential and will be remembered as one of the greats once his career is over:

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It's quite simple, really. He has fulfilled his potential—unless you're one of those people who bought into the idiocy of calling him the "white Pele" as a teenager. The game is filled with precocious talents who fizzle out.

He didn't continue scoring a hat trick in every match. All he did was score regularly and win tons of silverware for Manchester United—indeed, by the time he retires, he'll probably be United's all-time leading scorer as well.

"

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Statistically speaking, Marcotti is correct. However, it was felt at one stage that Rooney would become one of the outstanding talents of his generation, much like his former peer Cristiano Ronaldo.

But as CR7 improved every season, breaking through to new heights on a regular basis, Rooney's progression has been slow in comparison—seeing the player lose much of his explosiveness of his younger days.

However, his personal record cannot be argued with. He will undoubtedly break United's goalscoring record and claim his place in Red Devils history.

When he takes his last steps on the hallowed turf of Old Trafford, possibly to head back to his blessed Everton, the fans will fully appreciate the service he has given to United and the successes he was a part of. 

But he will not be remembered with the affection he seemed destined for, once upon a time. There will be no statue outside Old Trafford for him and many United fans will be happy to see him go. But Rooney can hold his head up high—he could have left United for the challenge of another team—but he decided to stay.

This decision is the core reason why many still back him in a Red shirt, but he will always remain as an individual who splits opinion.