Captain Wayne Rooney has been surprisingly included in Manchester United’s starting XI to face AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League at Old Trafford this afternoon (12:30).
The 31-year-old, who was left on the bench during last Sunday’s EFL Cup final victory over Southampton at Wembley Stadium, has scored just five goals and provided ten assists in 29 appearances in all competitions for The Red Devils so far this season.
However Rooney, who is the club’s all-time leading goalscorer with 250 strikes to his name, has been named in the starting line-up by manager Jose Mourinho to take on The Cherries later this afternoon, with United unbeaten in the top-flight since October and looking to climb into the Premier League’s top four with victory.
Here’s how #MUFC will line up today… #MUNBOU pic.twitter.com/gOeUryt44F
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 4, 2017
Given Rooney’s legendary status at The Theatre of Dreams, many United fans were understandably delighted to see the forward start his first league game since December 17 (vs West Brom)…
.@ManUtd great line-up. Very happy to see Rooney, Shaw and Carrick all in the starting XI. Thanks Jose!
— Ruth (@ruth_e_newman) March 4, 2017
Today will be about Wayne Rooney. #Legend #MUFC #PL
— Karen (@KayK55) March 4, 2017
Great to see Rooney back in the start. May he marshal a rout over Bournemouth. #MUNBOU #MUFC https://t.co/wtOoJEdUJn
— Jeremiah Kariuki (@KJeremiahN) March 4, 2017
Wohooo rooney first eleven. Good luck to our skipper tonight #MUFC #MUNBOU pic.twitter.com/mdNtWkK6Yd
— Muhammad Haris (@HarezDol) March 4, 2017
Some fans were even confident enough to predict the skipper will get on the scoresheet today…
Rooney to score https://t.co/sEfgSVvh19
— Umair (@Umzy27) March 4, 2017
Rooney brace inbound
— (@ProudPogba) March 4, 2017
Goal number 251 incoming. pic.twitter.com/JY7LR0f5ke
— David. (@Rooney_esque) March 4, 2017
Cumon Utd 3 points needed few goals aswel get our goal diff up Rooney to bag #mufc
— Red Rum (@FesKayaniWeaky) March 4, 2017
However, not all supporters were overly impressed with the ‘Special One’s’ inclusion of the 31-year-old today…
Whys Rooney Starting
— Wale Ayoola (@WaleAyoola5) March 4, 2017
Not enough pace in that United 11. Rooney and Mata can’t both start behind Ibra. #bbcfootball #MUNBOU
— James Purkis (@james_purkis) March 4, 2017
Rooney starts. We’re staying in 6th place.
— Phil (@pwadcock) March 4, 2017
Odd how Rooney has bowled straight into that starting XI after we tried to bomb him off to China only last week
— Ashley Woodhead (@ASHLEY_WOODHEAD) March 4, 2017
Honestly would of even rathered Rashford over Rooney today. Mata Pogba Carrick Ibra Rooney…..SLOOOOOWWWW. Hope Martial can carry em
— funnymanmike (@funnymanmike) March 4, 2017
Let’s see if Rooney proves his doubters wrong this afternoon…