Rooney aims to go ‘home’ in triumph

WAYNE Rooney will be looking to reach a notable career milestone in Manchester United’s Premier League match at Everton tomorrow.

The Reds’ front man is one goal short of a century in his professional career following his strike against Celtic in midweek.

Should Rooney find the net tomorrow it will be extra special bearing in mind he scored his first goal in professional football for Everton at Goodison Park.

That was six years ago this month when the 16-year-old Rooney announced his presence on the Premier League stage with a never-to-be-forgotten goal for the Toffees against Arsenal.

Rooney, who yesterday celebrated his 23rd birthday, is currently experiencing the most productive spell of his career with nine goals in his last seven matches for club and country.

He said: “It’s an achievement to get to 100 goals when you are a striker and if I could do it at Everton, the club where I started, that would be really pleasing.

“It’s a big game for the team and, obviously, for myself, too, because of my background at Everton.

“The first thing is trying to get three points but, if I score and reach 100 goals, it would be a really sweet moment.”

If it were to happen, Rooney’s feat would hardly be savoured on Merseyside where the kid from Croxteth has never been forgiven for quitting the club to join United.

Rooney’s recent success has coincided with the arrival at Old Trafford of United’s record £30.75million buy from Tottenham, Dimitar Berbatov, who has already scored five times.

Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson has enthused about the strike partnership which is responsible for Carlos Tevez being squeezed out of the team.

Everton cannot be relishing the prospect of facing Rooney and Berbatov in such fabulous form as they have made a hugely disappointing start to their campaign.

After finishing fifth in the Premier League last season, Everton currently find themselves languishing in 16th place, only one point clear of the relegation places.

Amazingly, they are still looking for their first home league win of the campaign, with both of their victories achieved on their travels.

And they cannot be relishing the visit of the Reds, who have an incredible record at Goodison Park with 13 wins and one draw from 16 league visits.