On New Year’s Day, Wayne Rooney played against his former club Manchester United for the second time since returning to Goodison Park. The first game finished in a 4-0 win for United with Rooney receiving a great reception from the crowd at the start of the game and when he was substituted off.

In United’s 2-0 win over Everton this week, Rooney went to take a corner for his boyhood team a few minutes in. The home end was deathly quiet, as it was for the entire 90 minutes, with the away end chanting Rooney’s name on repeat.

Rooney didn’t acknowledge the fans of the club where he holds the record of the all-time top scorer. You wouldn’t expect him to either. He plays for Everton now, and while he used to kiss our badge when he faced them amidst their chants of him dying, he rightly wouldn’t want to disrespect Evertonians and make the game about him.

As soon as the chants of his name stopped, the away end then started to chant “you scouse bastard!” at their former captain. It was tongue in cheek. Michael Owen got the same treatment after lifting the Premier League trophy in 2011.

Yesterday, Rooney was also applauded off the pitch by United fans after he was substituted with an hour played. While we were appreciative of him giving the ball away in the lead up to United’s opening goal, he would have been clapped off regardless. Zing.

Some reports have today claimed that we disrespected Rooney. People need to lighten up.