Wayne Rooney warns Romelu Lukaku that he will have to meet ‘certain standards’ at Manchester United… but then admits he ‘isn’t bothered anymore’
The 31-year-old rejoined his boyhood club on a free transfer and insists he is fully focused on the future and not the past
WAYNE ROONEY has warned Romelu Lukaku it won't be easy for him at Manchester United - then described how "ecstatic" he was having rejoined Everton.
The two strikers traded places last week, with Lukaku heading to Old Trafford for £75million and Rooney returning to Goodison Park on a free.
And as Lukaku looks to bed in under Jose Mourinho's United revolution, the man whose boots he is stepping in believes success might not come too easy for the Belgian hitman.
And in a broadside at the current crop of players at Old Trafford, Rooney hinted there is a distinct lack of leaders in the dressing room.
The England striker said: "There are standards that you have to keep when you are at Manchester United.
"That came from the manager Sir Alex Ferguson when I went to United and it was then passed down through the dressing room by the likes of Giggsy, Gary Neville and Scholesy.
“Over the last few years, it was down to me and Michael Carrick to keep the new players maintaining those standards.
“That became more difficult over the last few years, with some of the players who joined the club.
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"There are traditions at United that have to be maintained. It’s become harder, but that’s not my problem any more. I’m just ecstatic to be back at Everton.”
Lukaku couldn't replicate that however on his Manchester United debut, missing a few chances in their 5-2 victory against LA Galaxy on their US tour.
And United's newest recruit has even been told of the challenge ahead by current team-mate Michael Carrick.
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Speaking to The Guardian, captain Carrick said: "The jump is massive, I found that myself coming from Tottenham. It’s a massive jump. You can’t really explain to people until they’ve gone through it.
"I’m sure he’ll find the same. But having Premier League experience is a massive bonus. He’ll know how things work week to week. It’s just about dealing with the pressure.
“It’s early days. It’s one week’s training and 45 minutes against Galaxy so you can’t come to any conclusions.
"We know what he is all about, there are no surprises. We all know exactly what he brings and that is why he is here.
"He is not going to change his game because he has come here. He does what he does best and obviously he’s been brought here to score goals. I am pretty certain he will do that this season.”
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