Jose Mourinho has urged Manchester United supporters to give Wayne Rooney "the welcome he deserves" when returning to Old Trafford with Everton this weekend.
The 31-year-old left the Red Devils as the club's all-time top scorer in the summer, 13 years after joining from Everton as a teenager.
Rooney netted 253 goals in all for United on his way to winning five Premier League titles, the FA Cup, Europa League and Champions League.
Mourinho believes that a legend's welcome should be on the cards for the Englishman, who is in line to feature despite his personal life coming into focus in recent weeks.
"I think he will get the welcome he deserves," he told reporters. "I think sometimes the word legend in this country comes too easy, that's not the case with him.
"He's a real legend - the number of goals, trophies, he's clearly one of the most important players in Manchester United's history and I think the stadium will show him the respect he deserves, I hope before the match and after the match, not during the match."
Fellow United legend Ryan Giggs has insisted that Rooney should celebrate if he scores at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
