5 reasons why Wayne Rooney's move to Everton will help him revitalise his career

9 October 2002. Arsenal visited Goodison Park, top of the table after seven wins and two draws, and unbeaten in 30 league games. With the score tied at 1-1 after 80 minutes, Moyes introduced a promising English youngster onto the pitch. The clock ticked over 90 minutes, and a 16-year-old Wayne Rooney plucked the ball out of the sky with an exquisite first touch. Two touches later, one of the most famous goals in English football history was scored. Arsenal's unbeaten streak came to an unforeseen end.

Over the next 15 years, adjectives and superlatives would be lavished on the then 16-year-old. He would be heralded as England's answer to Lionel Messi. He would score a hat-trick on his debut for Manchester United in the Champions League. He would form part of a devastating attacking force alongside Tevez, Ronaldo and Berbatov, one that reached three CL finals in four years. He would go on to become Manchester United's all time top goalscorer, surpassing the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton......

Wayne Mark Rooney has left an indelible impression on Manchester United history during his 13-year stay. Having wilted visibly in the later stages of his career, Rooney remained a consummate professional on the sidelines. As the captain, he led Manchester United with dignity and honour and contributed to the best of his abilities whenever called upon. A move to Everton represents the right fit for him to try and recapture his former glories.

Here are 5 reasons why Wayne Rooney's move to Everton could be the right fit for him to revitalise his career:

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#1 His Everton roots

Rooney and his family have roots in Everton

"I've kept it quiet for the last 13 years, but I have actually been wearing Everton pyjamas at home with my kids," Rooney revealed, after completing his emotional return to Goodison Park. "My dad has come up to watch me in Manchester and now he will have five-minute drive to watch me again so he is really happy."

Rooney has been an Evertonian through and through, as revealed by his introductory press conference. Raised in a family of Everton fans, Rooney had to leave as an 18-year-old to further his career; but his roots never left. Deprived of the ardour he once used to receive at Old Trafford, a move back to Everton would help reignite Rooney's connection with the fanbase, and in the process, maybe rediscover his former self.

#2 Ronald Koeman

Koeman backs Rooney's abilities

As early as February, Ronald Koeman opened the door for Rooney to return to Goodison Park. "I believe Wayne Rooney is still playing at a high level," Koeman said back then. "Every player that we at Everton think can make the team stronger is welcome to Everton."

Post Rooney's signing, Koeman has echoed the same sentiments. Along with his undoubted quality, Koeman also praised the experience, professionalism and ambition Rooney would bring to Everton. After falling out of favour with Van Gaal, Mourinho and Southgate, it would be a welcome change for Rooney to have a manager who backs his abilities.

#3 Move away from limelight

Rooney's relationship with Ferguson strained because of his wage demands

It is not an insignificant footnote that Rooney has taken a huge pay cut to join Everton – it is the main story. A player who blemished his Manchester United legacy by twice angling for moves only to sign lucrative contracts, Rooney's decision not to move to China is a welcome sign of his newfound priorities.

A smaller paycheck in hand and a settled future without speculation would enable Rooney to play football with the same carelessness as he did when 16 years of age; fearless, motivated and driven on by his sheer love for the game.

#4 He can play as striker again

Rooney is a natural goalscorer

Rooney's diverse qualities have perhaps hindered him as much as they have helped him over the years. Upon his arrival, he was shunted around the pitch for the first few years to enable Ronaldo, Tevez and Berbatov feature on the same pitch. Then after Ronaldo's departure, there was a short spell when Rooney was the main man – and again Van Persie showed up. Few years later, read Ibrahimovic in place of Van Persie.

The efforts to reinvent him as a number 8 or number 6 have been admirable, but it is time to accept that the experiment failed. For all his qualities, Rooney simply isn't a midfielder by trade. Koeman has already provided insights into his plans, suggesting that Rooney will be played as a number 10 or in the forward line only.

31 isn't the best age to play 5 different positions in 5 different matches. Rooney needs to settle down with a fixed role in the team, and his move to Everton would enable him to do exactly that.

#5 He can fight his way back to England team

Rooney can provide valuable support and guidance to English youngsters

As much as it would have hurt Rooney to be ousted from the United squad with their endless resources, it would have arguably hurt him more to be out of the England picture. A young squad going into a World Cup year with a new manager, Rooney will be desperate to fight his way back into Southgate's plans.

Playing week in week out in England would keep Rooney in Southgate's radar. Perhaps it is one among several reasons why he opted against a move to China. England have a young squad crying out for experience – and the talent in the squad is not at the level of other giants like Spain, Germany or France.

It is doubtless that Rooney at his best deserves a place in the current England squad. Now it is a question of whether he can get back to his best – a question for which we should start getting the answer fairly soon.