Are Wayne Rooney’s statements aimed at Everton?

Wayne Rooney has been linked multiple times with a move to Everton at the tail-end of his career. His recent decline in performance and subsequent neglect at Manchester United have only strengthened that talk.

From the Toffees side, both manager Ronald Koeman and Director of Football Steve Walsh have come out and said that they greatly admire the player, lending greater weight to the chatter about him finishing off his career where he started it.

In an interview with Sky Sports today, he told Geoff Shreeves that he felt he still had a lot to offer. Now whether that was targeted at Jose Mourinho or at Everton will remain a matter of speculation, but the forward insisted that his experience was invaluable to a top team.

"I feel I can contribute quality, composure, experience, and know-how, how to get over the line, whether it's to win the league or finish top four or get to the final. That's a lot of experience I can contribute to the team.

"Of course it's good to be back. I want to be back playing, and hopefully between now and the end of the season and leave a mark on the games I play."

Rooney said he felt he had another couple of years still to play at the highest level.

"Yes. Even longer I think. Everyone mentions that age, I'm 31, not an old person. Of course, I've played a lot of games.

"Who knows, not playing so many games this season might benefit me."

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Despite multiple people writing obituaries to his career, he wants the chance to prove himself.

"I think that's happened for the last few years. All I can do is keep working, keep trying to prove people wrong. I work hard in training, and I just have to wait and get my chance, as I did against Burnley.

"I know I'm good enough to play at the top level. People have their opinions, which I respect, and I have mine."

When asked about his future at Old Trafford, Rooney didn’t reveal much, maintaining that he was only looking as far as the end of the season.

"I think I answered that question in February. My focus at the minute is helping us reach the Europa League final, and to win it, and help us get to the top four. That's my focus at the minute.

"I think I've got a lot to offer, and as I keep saying, I'm looking forward to these next few games, get a few under my belt, and get to where I want to be at the end of the season and see what happens there."

So there you have it - Rooney insists that he is not washed up at 31, even though his physical shape doesn’t inspire confidence. Will Koeman be the man to whip him back into shape and give him one last hurrah in the royal blue shirt?

Watch the full Wayne Rooney interview with Geoff Shreeves before the Manchester derby on Sky Sports 1 on Thursday from 7pm (BST).