Wayne Rooney to his boyhood club, Everton, on a two-year contract, after Manchester United allowed him to leave on a free transfer. Rooney was assigned the number 10 shirt for the 2017–18 campaign. He made his first official appearance on his return to the club in a 1–0 win over MFK Ružomberok in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round first leg on 27 July. He scored on his second Everton league debut on 12 August, when his club beat Stoke City 1–0 at Goodison Park. Nine days later, Rooney scored his 200th Premier League goal in a 1–1 away draw against
2012–13 Manchester United F.C. season Manchester United took advantage of their neighbours and closest title rivals Manchester City's loss to Everton earlier in the day by beating Reading. The game finished 1–0 from a deflected goal by Wayne Rooney after a surging run from Rio Ferdinand. This extended Manchester United's lead to 15 points with nine games to play. After the international break, United faced a trip to the Stadium of Light to play Sunderland on 30 March. Again United won 1–0 thanks to a Titus Bramble own goal after Van Persie's shot had deflected off him. By winning, United set a new record by