Jamie Redknapp ‘pleasantly surprised’ by Man United summer transfer
The former Liverpool and Spurs midfielder admits he was pleasantly surprised to see Wayne Rooney return to Everton from Man United
Jamie Redknapp has admitted that he was pleasantly surprised to see Wayne Rooney leave Manchester United to rejoin Everton this summer.
The Red Devils forward returned to Everton in a free transfer on Monday afternoon to end a 13-year stay at Old Trafford.
The 31-year-old struggled to secured regular first-team football under Jose Mourinho following the Portuguese coach’s appointment as manager last summer.
However, Rooney still managed to surpass Sir Bobby Charlton’s tally of 249 goals and become Manchester United’s all-time record goal-scorer.
The ex-Manchester United skipper moved to the 20-time English champions in a £26m deal from Everton in 2005 and the forward memorably scored a hat-trick on his debut against Fenerbahce.
The England international secured the move to his boyhood club having won five Premier League titles, three League Cups, the FA Cup and the Champions League.
Writing in his Sky Sports column about Rooney’s return to Everton, former Liverpool and Spurs midfielder Redknapp was happy to see the striker avoid the lure of China or Major League Soccer.
“I’m a little bit surprised Rooney’ gone back to Everton but I would say I am pleasantly surprised,” Redknapp said.
“I thought he might move to the MLS or go to China, however, it’s goo seeing him stay in the Premier League. He is a Premier League legend.
“He scored plenty of goals for Everton before going to United, where he was also a huge success but he’s going home now. He’ll want to prove a point to everybody that’s writing him off and I think he’s still got a lot to offer.”
Manchester United finished in sixth place in the Premier League table last season.
