‘Wayne Rooney has urged Sir Alex Ferguson not to leave him out of a potentially explosive return to Everton this weekend. Rooney is guaranteed a hostile reception if he returns to Goodison Park for the first time since his £27million move to Manchester United in Saturday's FA Cup fifth round tie.
‘Everton have held meetings with Merseyside Police over how to handle the incendiary atmosphere if the former boyhood Blue plays. But the striker will relish the occasion, and has told family, friends and his United team-mates that he is desperate to face his old club in the televised showdown.
‘Rooney, however, now has an anxious wait to see if Ferguson will grant his wish. The United manager is unlikely to have his selection policy influenced by security concerns but may rest his leading goalscorer on account of the Champions League tie with AC Milan four days later.’
The Sun report that an ex-SAS soldier will be one of two bodyguards protecting Rooney on Saturday.