Wayne Rooney

Chelsea edged closer to the Premier League title on Sunday as they beat Everton 3-0, while Tottenham Hotspur kept the gap at four points as they beat Arsenal 2-0 in the last north London derby at White Hart Lane.

The result also guaranteed Spurs will finish above the Gunners in the league for the first time in 22 years.

Meanwhile, both Manchester United and Manchester City failed to win their matches as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Swansea City and a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough respectively.

Here is confirmation of the scores, and the division's top scorers at the end of Week 35:

Manchester United	1-1	Swansea City
Everton	0-3	Chelsea
Middlesbrough	2-2	Manchester City
Tottenham Hotspur	2-0	Arsenal

Position	Player	Team	Goals
1	Romelu Lukaku	Everton	24
2	Harry Kane	Tottenham Hotspur	21
T3	Alexis Sanchez	Arsenal	19
T3	Diego Costa	Chelsea	19
5	Sergio Aguero	Manchester City	18
T6	Zlatan Ibrahimovic	Manchester United	17
T6	Dele Alli	Tottenham Hotspur	17

The updated standings:

R	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Chelsea	34	26	3	5	72	29	+43	81
2	Tottenham	34	23	8	3	71	22	+49	77
3	Liverpool	34	19	9	6	70	42	+28	66
4	Manchester City	34	19	9	6	65	37	+28	66
5	Manchester United	34	17	14	3	51	25	+26	65
6	Arsenal	33	18	6	9	64	42	+22	60
7	Everton	35	16	10	9	60	40	+20	58
8	West Bromwich Albion	34	12	8	14	39	43	-4	44
9	Southampton	33	11	8	14	39	44	-5	41
10	Bournemouth	35	11	8	16	50	63	-13	41
11	Leicester	34	11	7	16	42	54	-12	40
12	Stoke	35	10	10	15	37	50	-13	40
13	Watford	33	11	7	15	37	54	-17	40
14	Burnley	35	11	6	18	35	49	-14	39
15	West Ham	35	10	9	16	44	59	-15	39
16	Crystal Palace	35	11	5	19	46	56	-10	38
17	Hull	35	9	7	19	36	67	-31	34
18	Swansea	35	9	5	21	40	69	-29	32
19	Middlesbrough	35	5	13	17	26	45	-19	28
20	Sunderland	34	5	6	23	26	60	-34	21

Recap

Spurs dominated their contest with Arsenal from start to finish, with the Gunners rarely threatening going forward and struggling at the back.

Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen should have scored in the first half—Alli headed wide when presented with an open goal three yards out, while Eriksen volleyed a rebound on to the crossbar.

The pair made amends after 55 minutes, when Alli tapped in a rebound from Eriksen after the pair linked up well on the right-hand side of the penalty area.

Harry Kane then quickly took his tally to 21 league strikes for the season, winning and netting a penalty just three minutes later after Gabriel Paulista carelessly stuck a leg out and brought him down.

Football writer Andrew Gaffney hopes the result will signify a long-term power shift in north London:

More important than today is making sure we remain above them for years to come and crucially add trophies to our far too empty cabinet.

— Andrew Gaffney (@GaffneyVLC) April 30, 2017

It took until the 66th minute for Chelsea to make the breakthrough against a resilient Everton side at Goodison Park, but the Blues opened the scoring in style when Pedro fired in a thunderbolt from 25 yards.

Gary Cahill capitalised on some poor defending from a free-kick for Chelsea's second before Willian tapped in a Cesc Fabregas pass to seal the win. 

Squawka Football hailed Cahill's contribution:

Gary Cahill's game by numbers vs. Everton:

9 clearances
5 aerial duels won
2 shots
1 goal

Another big display. 💪 pic.twitter.com/AbbTAnoooE

— Squawka (@Squawka) April 30, 2017

United were held to their 10th Premier League draw at Old Trafford this season as they put in a frustrating performance against the Swans, who fully deserved their point.

The Red Devils took the lead with the last kick of the first half when Wayne Rooney converted a dubious penalty won by Marcus Rashford, who was already on his way down before goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski made contact.

Gylfi Sigurdsson earned the visitors a draw with a sublime free-kick deep in the second half, while United also had to rue injuries to Eric Bailly and Luke Shaw.

Football writer Liam Canning was unimpressed with their performance:

Alarming the lack of character in the side without Pogba/Ibrahimović. No fight or urgency to put the game out of sight. Cost them again.

— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) April 30, 2017

City fared no better when they travelled to the Riverside Stadium. The Sky Blues struggled with a 3-4-1-2 formation in the first half and went in 1-0 down at the break after Alvaro Negredo finished off a rapid counter-attack on 38 minutes.

The introductions of Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling soon after the restart sparked City into life, though they benefited from some good fortune, as the former was awarded a controversial penalty, per Goal's Sam Lee:

Sane's left his leg in and bought it. More of a pen than Rashford's but still 'very clever play'

— Sam Lee (@SamLee) April 30, 2017

Sergio Aguero scored the spot-kick, but City were behind again thanks to Calum Chambers' scrappy second as Boro capitalised on some poor defending.

The Sky Blues secured a draw through the previously ineffectual Gabriel Jesus, who rose to head home an Aguero cross in the 85th minute.

Top Premier League title contenders Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur both took care of business on Sunday, beating Everton and Arsenal, respectively, in Week 35.

Those results mean the gap at the top of the standings is four points, with both teams set to play four more fixtures.

Elsewhere, Manchester City and Manchester United both played to draws, leaving the race for the top four as close as ever.

Here's a look at Sunday's results:

Manchester United	1-1	Swansea City
Middlesbrough	2-2	Manchester City
Everton	0-3	Chelsea
Tottenham Hotspur	2-0	Arsenal

The current Premier League standings:

Pos	Team	PL	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
1	Chelsea	34	26	3	5	72	29	+43	81
2	Tottenham	34	23	8	3	71	22	+49	77
3	Liverpool	34	19	9	6	70	42	+28	66
4	Manchester City	34	19	9	6	65	37	+28	66
5	Manchester United	34	17	14	3	51	25	+26	65
6	Arsenal	33	18	6	9	64	42	+22	60
7	Everton	35	16	10	9	60	40	+20	58
8	West Bromwich Albion	34	12	8	14	39	43	-4	44
9	Southampton	33	11	8	14	39	44	-5	41
10	Bournemouth	35	11	8	16	50	63	-13	41
11	Leicester	34	11	7	16	42	54	-12	40
12	Stoke	35	10	10	15	37	50	-13	40
13	Watford	33	11	7	15	37	54	-17	40
14	Burnley	35	11	6	18	35	49	-14	39
15	West Ham	35	10	9	16	44	59	-15	39
16	Crystal Palace	35	11	5	19	46	56	-10	38
17	Hull	35	9	7	19	36	67	-31	34
18	Swansea	35	9	5	21	40	69	-29	32
19	Middlesbrough	35	5	13	17	26	45	-19	28
20	Sunderland	34	5	6	23	26	60	-34	21

Recap

Chelsea ended Everton's fine run of eight consecutive wins at Goodison Park and moved a step closer to the title with a hard-fought 3-0 win. While the final score may suggest a routine victory, the Toffees made life hard for the Blues, and the match was in the air until Pedro bagged the opener in the 66th minute.

The Spaniard curled home a lovely strike from outside the box to break the deadlock, and Gary Cahill and Willian would add goals of their own afterwards.

Former Blues star Michael Ballack loved it:

Chelsea unstoppable #EVECHE 🔵⚽️👊 @ChelseaFC

— Michael Ballack (@Ballack) April 30, 2017

Spurs knew they couldn't afford a loss in the north London derby if they wanted to keep pace with Chelsea, and two quick goals from Dele Alli and Harry Kane after the 55th minute set them on their way.

Per Bleacher Report's Nick Akerman, the Gunners' run of finishing ahead of their rivals, which has lasted for over 20 seasons, has come to an end:

St. Arseringham's Day.

— Nick Akerman (@Nakerman) April 30, 2017

The Manchester clubs didn't have their best results on Sunday, with both slumping to draws. The Citizens defence was badly exposed against lowly Middlesbrough, who took the lead late on through Calum Chambers, with Gabriel Jesus saving his team further blushes.

Per Bleacher Report UK, manager Pep Guardiola's first season in the Premier League hasn't gone to plan defensively:

Welcome to the Premier League, Pep… pic.twitter.com/vkQYyazglb

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 30, 2017

United didn't fare any better against another relegation candidate, playing out a 1-1 draw with Swansea City. Gylfi Sigurdsson won his side a point after Wayne Rooney had opened the scoring from the penalty spot.

As shared by WhoScored.com, the Red Devils are the kings of the draw this season:

Manchester United: No team has drawn more league games than Manchester United (14) in Europe's top 5 leagues this season pic.twitter.com/miRQ6e5a5R

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) April 30, 2017

Those two results leave Liverpool in third place, as the hunt for a top-four finish and a ticket for the UEFA Champions League is extremely close entering the final weeks of the season.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho will attempt to sign former player Willian from Chelsea as he expands his squad in the summer transfer window.

Mark Ogden of ESPN FC reported sources have said United will aim to bring in four new faces before the start of the new season to help replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney—the former has not yet agreed to a new deal and has a long-term injury, while the latter is rumoured to move on.

Mourinho wants to add a centre-back and midfielder, as well as two forwards to spice up his options.

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Ogden explained the reasons behind the interest in Willian:

Mourinho believes the 28-year-old's experience, pace and goal threat can add a new dimension to United's midfield next season and has instructed executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to pursue the player, who he signed for Chelsea in a £32 million deal from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala in August 2013.

Prising Willian from Chelsea will not be straightforward, however, due to the complications posed by the London club selling to one of their key rivals.

The Brazilian featured prominently for Mourinho during his time in charge at Stamford Bridge, and he was one of the few success stories during the self-proclaimed Special One's last season in charge of the Blues.

However, the 28-year-old has only started 13 Premier League games since the arrival of coach Antonio Conte, according to WhoScored.com. The player has been a regular substitute for the Italian, rising from the bench on 16 occasions and scoring six goals.

Ogden added Mourinho is confident he can convince Willian to defect from west London after his lack of minutes this term.

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Jeremy Cross of the Daily Star reported United will put together a £35 million deal to capture the attacking midfielder, offering him a wage of £200,000 per week. However, Willian recently signed a new deal to remain with Chelsea until 2020.

Squawka Football highlighted the player's effectiveness for his team:

Chelsea have won every game in which Willian has scored or assisted in this season (11).

Key player. 🔑 pic.twitter.com/XPboFRMtph

— Squawka (@Squawka) April 22, 2017

Willian would be the perfect addition at Old Trafford, bringing pace and precision to the United attack in abundance.

The player is the archetypal Mourinho soldier, willing to run off the ball while providing a great attitude towards tactics and workmanship.

United have been short in the attacking department since Mourinho's arrival at the Theatre of Dreams, and the manager can tailor his striker options if he can secure Willian's talents before pre-season begins. 

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Manchester United moved to just a single point shy of the top four after beating Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor in the Premier League on Sunday. The Red Devils are now a mere point behind neighbours Manchester City, who they meet in the derby on Thursday.

United and City have two games in hand on a Liverpool side whose top-four bid was damaged by a costly 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at Anfield. Ex-Liverpool striker Christian Benteke scored twice to ensure a nervy end to the season for his former club.

Here are the final scores from Sunday's matches:

Home	Score	Away
Burnley	0-2	Manchester United
Liverpool	1-2	Crystal Palace

Here's what those results mean for the table:

Position	Club	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Goal Difference	Points
1	Chelsea	32	24	3	5	38	75
2	Tottenham Hotspur	32	21	8	3	46	71
3	Liverpool	34	19	9	6	28	66
4	Manchester City	32	19	7	6	28	64
5	Manchester United	32	17	12	3	26	63
6	Everton	34	16	10	8	23	58
7	Arsenal	31	17	6	8	23	57
8	West Bromwich Albion	33	12	8	13	-3	44
9	Southampton	31	11	7	13	-3	40
10	Watford	33	11	7	15	-17	40
11	Stoke City	34	10	9	15	-13	39
12	Crystal Palace	33	11	5	17	-7	38
13	Bournemouth	34	10	8	16	-14	38
14	West Ham United	34	10	8	16	-15	38
15	Leicester City	32	10	7	15	-12	37
16	Burnley	34	10	6	18	-16	36
17	Hull City	34	9	6	19	-31	33
18	Swansea City	34	9	4	21	-29	31
19	Middlesbrough	33	4	12	17	-20	24
20	Sunderland	32	5	6	21	-32	21

Recap

United were stronger, smarter and quicker than the Clarets from the start at Turf Moor, with the Red Devils' best outlet being the pace and power of Anthony Martial.

It was the dynamic Frenchman who opened United's account after he galloped over half the length of the pitch before finishing well after a neat one-two with Ander Herrera. Martial's goal proved expensive for the visitors, though, per BBC Sport:

Now, that's an expensive goal.

Anthony Martial's strike has cost his own club £8.5m...

Here's why: https://t.co/ZJ05ypdr9Q pic.twitter.com/mBkiMfDaVE

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 23, 2017

Martial was at the heart of United's second, using his pace to tee up Wayne Rooney to bundle over from close range. Adding an assist to his goal marked a first for former AS Monaco attacker Martial in England's top flight, according to BBC Match of the Day:

Anthony Martial has scored and assisted in a Premier League away game for the first time in his career.#BURMUN https://t.co/y6lBAZeZEK pic.twitter.com/Dz9j9omoQj

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) April 23, 2017

Meanwhile, one more goal in a prolific career gave Rooney a place among some select legends of the Premier League, per OptaJoe:

149 – Only Alan Shearer (190) has scored in more different PL games than Wayne Rooney (149 – level with Frank Lampard & Andrew Cole). Habit. pic.twitter.com/HOAi1hCoHP

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 23, 2017

Rooney's goal also gave United a lead they rarely looked like relinquishing after the break. The away side were compact and physical in midfield, with Herrera snapping into more than a few hefty challenges, while United's back four stayed solid.

Herrera, Rooney and centre-back Eric Bailly were all outstanding. However, there was no doubt Martial was the star of the day, with Squawka Football detailing how his direct running, speed and trickery tormented the Burnley defence:

Anthony Martial has completed as many take-ons (4) as the rest of the Man Utd side combined against Burnley so far.

The main outlet. pic.twitter.com/tnf9Wv90DM

— Squawka (@Squawka) April 23, 2017

Martial's star turn means United have applied maximum pressure on local rivals City in the race for a top-four finish. The Red Devils can now turn their focus to defending their lengthy unbeaten run in Thursday's Manchester derby:

23 - Man Utd are unbeaten in 23 PL games (W13 D10); the longest unbeaten run in a single season since Man Utd in 2010/11 (24). Foundation. pic.twitter.com/CqrQ9X8nF2

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 23, 2017

United's win wasn't answered by a Liverpool side again overly reliant on the wizardry of Philippe Coutinho. The gifted No. 10 lit up what had been a drab game during the opening 23 minutes with a superb free-kick to dent the Palace defensive wall.

To their credit, Palace fought back well and were level on 42 minutes when Benteke equalised after a smart run and precise cross from Yohan Cabaye. Benteke struck again with 16 minutes to go, heading home from close range to dent Liverpool's bid for a top-four finish.

The men from Anfield are now just three points clear of Manchester United, who have two games in hand in fifth place. By contrast, Palace are up to 12th after reaching 38 points, a coveted total likely to be enough to keep them in England's top flight.

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney scored his first goal in three months as the Red Devils beat Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor on Sunday, when a daring display from Anthony Martial helped seal three points.

The result was enough to see manager Jose Mourinho's side solidify their place at fifth in the Premier League table, bringing them within a point of fourth-placed rivals Manchester City, who faced Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium the same day.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed the fixture after injuring his knee against Anderlecht on Thursday, and Marcus Rashford was brought off the bench as a second-half substitute, with Martial taking the Swede's spot up front.

Richard Jolly of ESPN highlighted before kick-off just how much of United's usual goal threat was missing for their short trip to Burnley, putting the size of their victory into greater perspective:

https://twitter.com/RichJolly/status/856126038384029696

Still riding high on the recent extra-time win over Anderlecht that saw United advance to the semi-finals of the Europa League, United took on the role of early aggressors in their trip to an unaccommodating ground.

Nevertheless, that didn't prevent the visitors taking a grip of possession and opening the scoring through a fine passing passage spearheaded and finished by Martial.

The strike came with mixed emotions for United's money men, however. Adam Shergold of MailOnline reported that Martial's 25th goal for the club triggered a clause in his contract demanding that £8.5 million be paid to former club AS Monaco.

Match of the Day's Gary Lineker was clearly impressed:

That's a darn fine goal from Martial. Sense Manchester United will be genuine title challengers next season.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 23, 2017

Martial darted at the Burnley defenders before connecting with Ander Herrera, who's first-time pass back to the rampaging Frenchman perfectly illustrated his balanced contribution to this United side.

For him, it was a first Premier League goal since February, but Rooney's close-range finish in the 39th minute was his first goal since whipping in a free-kick equaliser against Stoke City on January 21:

Rooney scores. pic.twitter.com/CBoUbopapP

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 23, 2017

Martial again played a part in the buildup and made a nuisance of himself before Rooney prodded past Burnley stopper and ex-United team-mate Tom Heaton.

Rooney may no longer be the constant component he once was at Old Trafford, but Sky Sports Statto took note of the veteran's achievement as he continues to leave his mark:

.@ManUtd's Wayne Rooney scores his 3rd PL goal this season, now scored v 31 of the 38 PL opponents he has faced away from home pic.twitter.com/FDSIUKx05u

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) April 23, 2017

Burnley's second-half response was more robust, but United goalkeeper David De Gea enjoyed a quiet day in goal as centre-backs Eric Bailly and the deputising Daley Blind held firm.

Jesse Lingard eventually made way for Rashford, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan entered the fray as an 80th-minute replacement for Martial, whom Statman Dave picked out as a worthy front-line alternative upon earning a rare start:

Martial has been so impressive up top. Drifting deep & to the channels allowing Rooney to become the ST. Burnley can't handle the movement. pic.twitter.com/RSNhqqWTyW

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 23, 2017

Ibrahimovic's injury may have raised United tensions in recent days, but Mourinho's men's deserved win at Turf Moor showed they have the depth to cope.

Even Rooney's cameo indicated he might yet have a role to play at the Theatre of Dreams beyond this season if he's given games, which are sure to come as we enter the end-of-season run-in. 

Burnley, on the other hand, will rue their second home defeat in three matches at Turf Moor, losing some of the sturdiness that saw them go five months undefeated at the ground between November and April.

Manager Sean Dyche will also look at his side's record of one goal scored in their past three home games with disdain. The Clarets are five points off the relegation zone with four matches remaining in their season.

Manchester United's injury crisis continues as the Red Devils travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday.

United manager Jose Mourinho told reporters captain Wayne Rooney is missing, with Ashley Young joining the striker on the sidelines.

Despite being unbeaten in their last 20 league games, the Old Trafford giants have seen their top-four aspirations evaporate because of the vast number of drawn contests.

The Black Cats prop up the league and are 10 points shy of survival.

Here is how you can watch the encounter.

  

Date: Sunday, April 9

Time: 1:30 p.m. BST/8:30 a.m.ET

TV: Sky Sports 1 (UK only), NBC (U.S. only)

Stream: Sky Go, NBC Sports Live, fubo.tv

  

Team News and Preview

Mourinho's first year at the Theatre of Dreams has been an uneven affair, and the team's poor home record has been the hurdle that has stopped United challenging Chelsea for the title.

The visitors face a Sunderland side, under the guidance of former United boss David Moyes, in the last-chance saloon on the brink of relegation. 

Moyes has failed to improve matters at the Stadium of Light during his first season in charge, but the coach will be motivated to steal the points from United after his acrimonious split from the club in 2014.

Paul Hirst of the Times confirmed the absentees for Mourinho, as the Portuguese manager said Rooney and Young will be missing alongside Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Juan Mata.

Injuries have left huge holes in United's first-team squad at a vital point in the campaign, and Mourinho must experiment to protect the club's hopes of UEFA Champions League qualification. 

Rooney's days in Manchester appear numbered, as the 31-year-old has only started nine games in the Premier League since Mourinho's arrival, according to WhoScored.com.

Former Red Devils ace John O'Shea will be missing for Sunderland, as he returned to Ireland after the death of his father, per BBC Sport. Moyes spoke about his side's chances ahead of the match:

The players have been here before and we will keep going; it's still within our hands to stay up and we'll make sure that we do that.

I think the boys have given a good go at it, so there's no faulting them and I think they've done everything they can.

What I hadn't put down was a win against a Manchester United—or an Arsenal or Chelsea—in our remaining fixtures, so we now have to win at least one of those games.

Despite winning major silverware this term, it has been a disappointing campaign for United that can possibly only be rescued with success in the UEFA Europa League.

The Premier League will be a mere distraction in the coming weeks until the final whistle is blown on the season, as the sleeping giants sit in sixth place.

Mourinho could rotate his options as he focuses his attentions on Thursday's trip to face Anderlecht in European competition, giving Moyes hope of a much-needed victory on Wearside.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho revealed on Friday that both Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young will be unavailable for the Red Devils' Premier League trip to Sunderland on Sunday, adding to an already lengthy injury list.

The Portuguese boss told reporters that Young and captain Rooney have joined Juan Mata, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones on the sidelines ahead of the game against the league's bottom team.

Jose says Rooney "not available". Ashley Young is injured. Smalling, Mata and Jones out long term.

— Paul Hirst (@hirstclass) April 7, 2017

United have been frustrated in their last two fixtures as they have been held to draws at Old Trafford against West Bromwich Albion and Everton.

Even with a depleted squad, the Red Devils should have more than enough quality to win at the Stadium of Light, as bottom-of-the-table Sunderland have lost five of their last six matches and not scored since early February.

Adnan Januzaj has been on loan at Sunderland from United during the 2016-17 season. Mourinho revealed on Friday that he has made his decision about the Belgium international's future, but he would not divulge the outcome, per BBC Sport's Simon Stone:

Jose on if he has decided future of @adnanjanuzaj. "Yes. But I am not telling the media."

— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) April 7, 2017

The sixth-placed Red Devils cannot afford to drop more points against Sunderland if they are still to have designs on finishing in the top four.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's late equaliser against Everton ensured United extended their current unbeaten run in the Premier League to 20 games, but with 10 of those being draws, the Manchester outfit have not managed to make any real progress up the table in that time.

Mourinho, however, said the fact that United have been so hard to beat in 2016-17 gives him confidence for next season, per the Manchester Evening News' Alex Porter.

"Looking to the next season it’s a good feeling to know that we don’t lose many matches and had a fantastic run of 20 unbeaten matches," the Portuguese said. "I prefer to look at 10 matches, 10 draws. You have something that is not easy to have. You are solid mentally, hard to beat and show fight and resilience. But the points are the reality."

Following their clash with Sunderland, United face the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final clash with Anderlecht.

Winning Europe's second-tier competition looks far the easier route for United to get into next season's UEFA Champions League than finishing in the top four of the Premier League.

But Mourinho is unlikely to lose domestic focus and will be eager to see his side emphatically return to winning ways against struggling Sunderland.    

For more news, rumours and related stories about Manchester United and the Premier League, check out the Manchester United and Premier League streams on Bleacher Report's app.

Wayne Rooney's mooted summer return to Everton is reportedly "likely to happen," and the Manchester United captain could even move back to his boyhood club for free. 

According to Miguel Delaney in The Independent, United may "be willing to waive a transfer fee" for the 31-year-old to return to the club he left for Old Trafford in 2004 for £27 million, even though his current contract runs until 2019.

Meanwhile, Rooney himself would be happy to accept a reduction in wages to £150,000 per week—around half what he currently earns—in order to seal a move back to Goodison Park, added Delaney. 

The England international has become a peripheral figure at United under manager Jose Mourinho in 2016-17.

During the current season, he has eclipsed Sir Bobby Charlton as United's all-time record goalscorer but has only started nine of the Red Devils' 27 Premier League games.

His lack of action and a recent injury led to him being left out of Gareth Southgate's England squad for upcoming internationals against Germany and Lithuania, and effectively stripped him of the Three Lions captaincy, per Daniel Taylor in the Guardian.

Rooney's departure from United now seems inevitable, and a potential move to the Chinese Super League was widely rumoured last month, per The Sun's Richard Moriarty.

It has also recently emerged that West Ham United could bid for him, per Sky Sports News HQ's Kaveh Solhekol:

West Ham interested in signing Wayne Rooney if Manchester United allow him to leave this summer. Told "Never say never"

— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) March 21, 2017

However, according to Delaney, Everton have been planning a move for Rooney for a few months and a return to Merseyside for the forward is becoming increasingly likely.

Toffees manager Ronald Koeman previously said Rooney would be "welcome" back at the club where he burst on to the scene as a 16-year-old, per Sky Sports (h/t the Press Association, via the Guardian).

His experience of winning numerous trophies—including five Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League—would make him a big asset back at Everton.

Meanwhile, as noted by Delaney, it would also be a romantic return for Rooney to go back to Everton for what would likely be the final stage of his playing career. 

West Ham United are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney if he leaves Old Trafford this summer. 

Sky Sports News HQ's Kaveh Solhekol relayed the news:

West Ham interested in signing Wayne Rooney if Manchester United allow him to leave this summer. Told "Never say never"

— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) March 21, 2017

Speculation over the forward's future has been rife in recent months amid reports his agent had flown to China to discuss a possible move to the Chinese Super League in February, per Sky Sports.

Football writer Liam Canning and Hesham Bilal-Hafiz of the Manchester Evening News reacted to the news of West Ham's interest:

So are Plymouth Argyle. https://t.co/FGn5uQCtHn

— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) March 21, 2017

Hahaha, I love this story. Not sure how much of his wages they can afford though. https://t.co/vpRiPaaazu

— Hesham Bilal-Hafiz (@hesham786) March 21, 2017

Rooney seems likely to leave United this summer after seeing his squad role reduce under manager Jose Mourinho.

The 31-year-old, whose form has noticeably declined in recent years, has made 30 appearances in all competitions this season but has started just 19 of them and only nine in the Premier League.

However, he has managed to provide five goals and 10 assists in that time, so he perhaps still has something to offer for a team like West Ham.

Rooney is United's top scorer against the Hammers, having netted 12 times in 20 appearances against them during his time with the Red Devils, including a sensational strike from the halfway line in 2014.

He has also been linked with a return to Everton this summer, per the Telegraph's John Percy.

While the Irons and the Toffees may not be as lucrative as a move to China and would likely require a pay cut, they would allow him to remain living in England without having to uproot his family or live apart from them, not to mention he would be able to continue plying his trade in the Premier League.

If either side makes him an offer this summer, he should give it serious consideration.