In 2004, Sir Alex Ferguson paid 27 million pounds to Everton for Wayne Rooney which allowed Manchester United to witness the best 

years of his generation's finest domestic footballer. In the years to follow, Rooney went on to claim five Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Europa League, the FA Cup, three League Cups and the FIFA Club World Cup.

He was named PFA Young Footballer of the Year on two occasions and voted the 2010 PFA and Football Writers Player of the Year. But, more importantly, Rooney passed Sir Booby Charlton's mark to become Manchester United's top goal-scorer of all time.

© Twitter/WayneRooney

Now, fast-forward to 2017 and we have the shadow of the same player – who once ruled the hearts at Old Trafford – now saying goodbye to the Red Devils in a bid to get some game-time by returning to his boyhood club Everton. Surely, the 31-year-old is far from the player Everton had sold to Man Utd 13 years ago. 

The oddity of his glittering 13-year career with the Premier League giants is that he departs to his former club to only muted applause. While the popular perception that he never adopted the fitness regime required to reach the heights of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi played its part, Rooney's failed attempts to leave the club – twice in three years – undeniably caused disquiet and somewhat ruined his legacy.

Excited to be back at @Everton. Can't wait to meet up with @RonaldKoeman and the lads! #EFC 🔵 pic.twitter.com/0CjD0i1aXg

— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) July 9, 2017

And, on one hand where his teammates (only a handful though) lauded his legacy, others (majorly fans of the rival clubs) didn't shy away from taking potshots at the former Man Utd veteran.

Live scenes from Old Trafford as Wayne Rooney leaves Manchester United pic.twitter.com/qImpHPbJzx

— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) July 9, 2017

SPOTTED: Wayne Rooney having a practice session on his return to Everton. pic.twitter.com/JpLrO27ZOt

— GeniusFootball (@GeniusFootball) July 10, 2017

Wayne Rooney & Peter Crouch spar while on England duty back in the day... pic.twitter.com/9lpVQ8ftnk

— Football Fours (@Football_Fours) July 9, 2017

Wayne Rooney says he has unfinished business on Merseyside, her name is Peggy and she is 72.

— London's Red Bitches (@afcbesttweets) July 10, 2017

Productive day at work today imagining what @WayneRooney looks like in a pair of @Everton pyjamas... pic.twitter.com/NLpMRDOMSD

— Daniel Jordan (@danielgwjordan) July 10, 2017

John terry at Aston Villa
Wayne Rooney at Everton
Funny days ahead

— SAO_koko (@Koko_cfc91) July 9, 2017

Its waste of money for Everton to buy Rooney they should spend $ elsewhere. Rooney should take the $ and run to 🇨🇳

— irfi (@irfi_15) July 5, 2017

Everton made some brilliant signings but then they sign Rooney . . . .

— TheWelshDragon (@TheWelshDragon9) July 5, 2017

I don't understand why Everton would want Wayne Rooney back. He leaves when he's a kid and now he's rubbish, he's willing to go back

— Emlyn Begley (@EmlynBegley) May 26, 2017