Wayne Rooney to Everton? Fans go head-to-head on whether Manchester United captain should make emotional Goodison Park return this summer

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Wayne Rooney faces a decision over his future this summer as he looks set to call time on his trophy-laden 13-year stay at Manchester United.

England's record goalscorer is open to making an emotional return to Everton, the club where he burst onto the scene in 2002, as Sportsmail revealed this week.

But would he be welcomed back at Goodison Park? Two Toffees fans debate whether Ronald Koeman should bring the 31-year-old back to Merseyside... 

Wayne Rooney looks set to bring his 13-year stay at Manchester United to an end this summer

Rooney holds the Europa League trophy after victory over Ajax on Wednesday night

Do you want Wayne Rooney back in an Everton shirt?

Elliott Bretland: Absolutely. He will improve the Everton squad massively, in ability and mentality, will bring vast experience to the team both on the pitch and training field and knows the club well. This is a no-brainer.

Joe Strange: Only if he fancies turning out in our next testimonial. Everton weren't too far away from Manchester United last season, so why should we chase a player no longer deemed good enough by them? 

I understand the sentiment behind a Rooney return, but my head is ruling my heart on this one.

Rooney sits among the substitutes for Duncan Ferguson's testimonial in 2015

The match in August 2015 was Rooney's last appearance in an Everton shirt 

The England international was a 73rd minute substitute during the clash with Villarreal

Is he good enough for Everton now?

EB: Certainly. As he recently admitted, he isn't the player he was 10 years ago but he is a serious upgrade on Arouna Kone, better than Enner Valencia, Kevin Mirallas and, dare I say it, Ross Barkley. 

He still possesses great technical ability and has a far superior football brain to Barkley. He's not as quick but his know-how alone would improve our attacks hugely. 

Barkley is hesitant and dawdles when going forward; Rooney sometimes slows the game down too, but to his own side's benefit.

JS: He is still capable of moments of sheer quality — a pin-point 60-yard pass or perfectly curled free-kick into the top corner.

But these moments happen less and less regularly these days, instead replaced by slow, laboured play and poor touches. 

His goals have dried up and he looks like he's got too many miles in his legs after breaking through at such a young age. He's better than Kone, but that isn't hard. Everton can do better.

Rooney burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old at Goodison Park back in 2002

What would he add to Ronald Koeman's squad?

EB: For me, he is still up there with the Premier League's best. He's still a special player. 

His experience could be key for what Ronald Koeman is trying to achieve at Everton while his winning mentality — he's enjoyed 13 trophy-laden years at Old Trafford — will have a huge impact on a club that has not won any silverware in over two decades.

As well, his ability to play in a number of positions would be of great benefit to the team.

JS: Rooney has fantastic experience and knows what's needed to win trophies at club level, but how useful is that when you're half the player you once were? 

Everton are in desperate need of at least one striker and the arrival of Rooney would give Koeman another attacking option, even if he would not seriously challenge Romelu Lukaku for a starting berth.

Rooney's first goal for Everton was a famous winner against then-champions Arsenal

Where would he fit into the team? Would he start?

EB: I think he would be an incredible option from the bench but personally I would like to see him start in the No 10 position should he return. 

What he lacks in pace, he makes up for in intelligence. If Everton can hold on to Romelu Lukaku, Rooney's ability to pick the striker out with his pin-point passing would be a mouthwatering prospect. What a pairing!

JS: If Rooney was to return, he'd be the best-paid substitute in Everton's history. The futures of Lukaku and Barkley may be up in the air, but if they stay then he doesn't start in front of them. 

And even if they go, the club should be looking to replace them with younger, better players than the United skipper. There's no chance of him dropping deeper to take the place of young Tom Davies, either.

Rooney spent just two seasons at Everton and scored 17 times in 77 appearances

How would his arrival affect the rest of the squad?

EB: Rooney's winning mentality is the main reason I would love to see him return, he could really inspire the squad. The local lads in the team, like Tom Davies and Barkley (should he stay on Merseyside), would certainly be buoyed by playing the same team as a player who has won every major honour and shares their passion and love for Everton, having spent his youth adoring the Toffees.

JS: I actually agree with most of that, but what message would a £150,000-a week contract send out to Lukaku? Although the Belgian claimed he turned down a similar deal earlier in the season because of ambition rather than money, the club's all-time Premier League goalscorer would surely question why he is valued the same as a player struggling for form towards the end of his career.

The 31-year-old could be making an emotional return to the blue half of Merseyside

Should Everton be signing a 31-year-old on £150,000-a-week?

EB: I don't think his age is a problem. Yes, he's played since the age of 16, but I think he can continue at the top level for another two/three years. 

This is an important time for Everton, they need and hope to make a statement signing now they are bankrolled by billionaire Farhad Moshiri and bringing Rooney back is the club's easiest shot of landing a 'marquee' signing this summer.

JS: Everton need to change their wage structure to make a serious assault on the top four, but that sort of money should be reserved to attract top players, and keep those at the club, who have a resale value.

Plus, if Rooney really wants to come home, surely we shouldn't need to make him our top earner after his highly profitable years at Old Trafford?

Rooney made a big-money move to Manchester United during the summer of 2004

What about his impact off the pitch?

EB: Rooney is still a huge name globally and his return would certainly help put Everton back on the map. 

Shirt sales, for the more nostalgic of us, would improve and most importantly, having brand Rooney at the club would surely lead to more sponsorship deals. Make no mistake, he is still an icon for many football fans around the globe.

JS: He may be a global superstar, but much of that is down to Manchester United's worldwide fanbase and their success during his 13 years at Old Trafford. 

His presence would undoubtedly provide a short-term boost to club coffers, but with his international career seemingly over, Rooney's reputation is on the decline. Swapping red for blue would only increase that.

The England international celebrates after scoring against Arsenal at Highbury in 2003

Does he deserve another chance after leaving his boyhood club?

EB: Definitely. I don't feel his departure is too much of an issue for most Evertonians now. 

The £27million Everton received from Manchester United (he was certainly undersold in hindsight) in 2004 helped the club return to the top half of the table having perenially struggled in the Premier League era. 

As for his love for the club, he may have left, yes, but it is not in doubt.

He's been known to kit his children out in the Everton strip, has attended games and even returned to the Goodison Park pitch for the testimonial of his hero and pal Duncan Ferguson. The affinity is still there and he would give 100 per cent for the shirt.

JS: Rooney's appearance at Big Dunc's testimonial suggested that the majority of match-going fans have forgiven him for swapping Merseyside for Manchester back in the summer of 2004. 

It's not an issue for me either, but that doesn't mean I want him lining up for the Blues next season.

Rooney received a good reception when he appeared at Ferguson's testimonial two years ago