With the guarantee that Manchester United's leading man will be recast as the pantomime villain on the very stage where he once played the role of hero on a fortnightly basis.
- The Antagonist on Rooney / Joe Strange on Rooney / The Libero on Rooney
This season the Everton faithful have been armed with the contents of a tabloid scandal to add to their unforgiving sense of betrayal and unrelenting vilification.
Rooney is in for a hate-filled abuse swarm of biblical proportions and you can be sure that he is anticipating the occasion with nothing but relish.
The 24-year-old provided evidence of his ability to thrive under a cloud of negativity this week on England duty with a succession of performances reminiscent of a man nearing his vast potential once more.
As the architect of all four of England's goals against Bulgaria at Wembley, Rooney then brought an 11 game/12 month international goal drought to an end with a first half strike.
Jeered for an uncharacteristic poor touch on Friday, viciously scorned in the press on Sunday and given a standing ovation in Basle on Tuesday. A week in the life of England's star man.
Based on the evidence presented, David Moyes’ Everton could be in for a testing afternoon, attempting to thwart an unchained beast with a soft spot for the pressure cooker.
It is true that Rooney is still carrying some of the baggage collected during a goalless and, at times, hopeless World Cup campaign and has only a solitary Premier League goal to his name thus far. But the 24-year-old has the talent and temperament to rid himself of such constraints by doing what he does best; playing football.
Everton defender and England colleague Phil Jagielka has already waved a red flag in the face of the man in question with the promise of a good sledging.
The jury is out as to whether he and Everton will live to tell the tale.
Source: DSG