'If Wayne Rooney is ever an option for Everton I will be very pleased' - Ronald Koeman admits he would like to see Manchester United captain return

Ronald Koeman has raised the prospect of Wayne Rooney returning to Everton by insisting he would be 'very pleased' if he became an option to sign.

This has been one of the most difficult seasons of Rooney's professional career and his continued absence from Manchester United's starting line-up has placed question marks over his long-term future under Jose Mourinho.

Rooney burst to prominence at Goodison Park in 2002, scoring a stunning goal against Arsenal as a 16-year-old. He added another 16 in 77 appearances before he moved to United in 2004 and has never hidden his affection for his first club, taking his eldest son, Kai, to see Everton play.

Wayne Rooney could be set for a return to Everton one day - if Ronald Koeman gets his way

Rooney celebrates scoring for Everton in 2003, a year before leaving for Manchester United

Koeman has watched with interest as Rooney's form for club and country has been regularly debated in recent weeks; Everton's manager, whose side need a win against West Ham on Sunday, remains a firm admirer of Rooney and would relish the chance to work with him if the chance arose.

'First of all you speak about the captain of the national team and if he is on the bench then of course the media will ask how and why is it possible?' said Koeman. 'I am not at United, I don't see sessions and every game.

'It is a decision of the manager of Manchester United. I understand why the media are interested. But he is 31, he still has two or three years at least at the highest level. Wayne Rooney is a top player and if there is one day when he is available, of course we would like to have him.

'But it is too early and I don't like to speak about players who are under contract at other teams. He is still not finished. I don't know how his situation is. But if Rooney is ever an option for Everton, I would be very pleased.'

Rooney's exit was not well-received by fans on Merseyside - but opinions have changed

Rooney, wearing United red, stands in front of the Goodison Park crowd in 2005

Rooney has been linked with a move to LA Galaxy but Jose Mourinho maintains his captain continues to be an integral part of his squad and has rubbished claims that he has been told he must leave in order to secure regular football. 

Though the scrutiny on him has been draining since the start of the season, as far as Mourinho is concerned Rooney will not leave any time soon.

'What I can say is that he's a very good player, a very important player for us,' said Mourinho. 

Rooney has admitted that he has struggled for form for club and country this season

Jose Mourinho maintains his captain continues to be an integral part of his United squad

'He's going nowhere. We like him, he likes us. He's not happy in the last matches because he was on the bench but I think he is even unhappier when he's not on the bench because he's been injured.'

'There are no problems at all. He's a human being like everybody else. He has family, like everybody else. He has kids, the oldest one at an age where he can read, he can feel, he can get the touch if he gets affected by that.

'I think he's a big boy, a big character. He copes with the situation.'