Bengaluru, July 27: Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has admitted that he really misses Wayne Rooney in the Red Devils' dressing room and he was emotional to see his captain leave for Everton.

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After 13 years at Old Trafford, the 31-year-old decided to return to his boyhood club Everton after a frustrating bit-part role under Mourinho during the 2016/17 season.

With the addition of Zlatan Ibrahimovic last season, Rooney made just 25 appearances in all competitions scoring 5 goals as Mourinho preferred to play the former as the main striker, which led the England international to end his illustriuos career at Manchester United.

The all-time leading goal-scorer demanded a way out of the club for more game-time and Mourinho allowed him to go.

The former Chelsea boss revealed that he wanted to keep the England international at the club, but felt Rooney needed to be allowed to decide his own future.

However, the Portuguese manager has now revealed that the decision was not an easy one and it was one of the major sensitive departures that he has had to deal with.

“I miss him a lot," said Mourinho.

“I think he's a fantastic guy. I'm not the kind of guy that gets normally emotional in my job and I did it with him when he left."

“But I'm sure that he's going to be very, very good for Everton and Everton is going to be very, very good for him."

The Portugese added, “It was not difficult (to let him go) because he deserves that, it's not difficult. He deserves what he got and what he got was our desire for him to stay and our respect by letting it be completely clear that we would like him to stay."

“And at the same time, the respect that allows him to be happy - allow him to try to play every game, every minute which honestly I think he needs."

Rooney has already made his presence felt at Everton with two goals in three pre-season fixtures and could soon make his season debut on Friday (July 28) when the Toffees start their Europa league journey against Slovakian side Ružomberok in the qualifying round.

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