WAYNE ROONEY, the player who famously printed ‘Once A Blue, Always A Blue’ on a T-Shirt – then signed for Manchester United – has repeated that he is still hugely fond of Everton and that Manchester United were the only club he would have left for.

Speaking on Richard Keys and Andy Gray’s radio show yesterday, Rooney said: “It was a difficult decision to make, leaving Everton. I think Man United were the only team I would have left Everton for.

“Being so young it was a really difficult decision to make and I thought if I don’t do it now I might never get that chance again.

“Everton have moved on, I’ve moved on. I look for Everton’s results after every game and of course I want them to do well.

“My son’s got all the Everton kits, you don’t just not like a team because you’ve fallen out or left the club. Everton will always be in my heart.

“They brought me into football and progressed me as player as well. I thank them for that.”

Rooney went on to reveal former Everton striker Duncan Ferguson was his favourite player as child.

He added: “Duncan Ferguson was one of those players that wore his heart on his sleeve, he was 100% committed, he was the one I admired.

“I remember when he went to jail for a short time and I remember writing to him and he wrote me a letter back. Then about five years later I was playing with him, it’s incredible.”