Wayne Rooney: Manchester United skipper is rubbish at Goodison Park because he still loves Everton, says Phil Jagielka

Rooney has not scored at the ground in seven years

Rooney applauds the United support (Getty Images)

With Manchester United preparing to face Everton on Sunday, Wayne Rooney returns to his former stomping ground with a poor record.

Since leaving his boyhood club in 2004, Rooney has returned to ground nine times, but been on the winning side just four times, lost four and scored only two goals - the last of which came back in 2008.

Everton skipper Phil Jagielka believes Rooney, who could play in Louis van Gaal's midfield because of injuries to Michael Carrick and Daley Blind, has a poor record at the ground because of his affinity for it.

Phil Jagielka believes Rooney still has an affinity for the club (Getty Images)

"It's difficult for Wayne," said Jagielka told the Daily Express. "You can imagine being the age he was and him playing for the team he supported and then the big move to United. I'm sure he said a few things and did a few things as a young lad just to defend himself.

"I speak to him all the time and he's always keen to know how we have got on - he's still a big Evertonian.

"Obviously he has an affiliation with Manchester United, he has been there a long time, he's the captain now, so you understand that - but he still loves the club."