Rooney out, but Mourinho back for Goodison trip

Wayne Rooney, who grew up an Everton fan, will miss making a return trip to Goodison Park this weekend after picking up his fifth booking. He was booked in Manchester United’s win over West Ham last night in the EFL Cup, and will be suspended for the next game which happens to be on Sunday against Everton.

In the past, former Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson often shielded him from playing at Everton due to the chorus of boos that accompanied his every touch of the ball, but the fans’ stance has softened in recent years.

It was looking like current United manager Jose Mourinho would also not be at the game after being sent off last weekend for a furious tirade at referee Jonathan Moss, but the FA handed the Portuguese manager a £16,000 fine and one-match suspension, which he served last night also against the Hammers.

United drew 1-1 on Sunday, but swept aside the London team 4-1 last night to enter the semi-finals stage of the EFL Cup. Everton manager Ronald Koeman saw his former side Southampton, who beat the Blues 1-0 on Sunday, also enter the semis after beating Arsenal 2-0. The other two semi-finalists are cross-town rivals Liverpool and Hull City.

United will play the Tigers and the Saints host the Reds in the first leg of the semis on January 10th, with the return legs to be played on January 24th next year.