Fernandinho warns Manchester City of rejuvenated Wayne Rooney and lauds Everton forward as 'great player' ahead of Etihad showdown
- Fernandinho thinks Wayne Rooney cannot be afforded time and space to create
- Manchester City midfielder warned team-mates they need to be 'very careful'
- Rooney scored winner in first Premier League game back at his boyhood side
- Fernandinho said: 'It's always tough to play against a team like Everton'
Fernandinho has sounded a warning to his Manchester City team-mates that Wayne Rooney cannot be given time or space for Everton on Monday night.
The midfielder is wary of a rejuvenated Rooney and sees it as crucial for City's chances that the 31-year-old is smothered at every turn.
'He's a great player, he showed that during the pre-season and the first game as well,' Fernandinho said.
Fernandinho is wary of the threat posed by a much-changed Everton and Wayne Rooney
The 31-year-old scored the winner on his first Premier League game back at Everton
Pep Guardiola's side head into the contest off the back of a 2-0 win over Brighton and Fernandinho knows to keep another clean sheet, his side will need to subdue Rooney.
He added: 'We will have to be very careful with him. He can score in many different ways.
'We will have to be close to him and not give him any chance to think or to create any chance [on] goal.'
The Brazilian is under no illusion that the visitors will be buoyed by a summer of impressive transfer activity, with the addition of Rooney and more recently Gylfi Sigurdsson stealing headlines.
Rooney is a 'great player' who must be closed down at all opportunities, says Fernandinho
And Fernandinho is expecting a tricky encounter against what he considers to be a much improved side from last season.
'It's always tough to play against a team like Everton, no matter [whether it is] home or away.
'With a lot of changes they made they are getting better, they improved a lot,' he concluded.
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