James Garner Pens New Everton Deal, Slams Door on Man Utd Return – Rooney Calls Him the Perfect Red Devil Reject

Picture this: Manchester United sniffing around for midfield reinforcements, and who pops up on their radar? None other than James Garner, the lad they shipped out a couple of years back. But hold your horses – the Everton midfielder's just inked a shiny new contract, telling Old Trafford to jog on.

It's the kind of plot twist that has you spilling your pint. Garner, a product of United's academy, looked like he had 'future star' written all over him back in 2019. A few loans at Watford and Nottingham Forest later, and Everton snapped him up permanently in 2022. United fans were fuming then, and now? They're probably kicking themselves.

Goodison Glory: Garner's Revival

Fast forward to this season, and Garner is bossing it at Goodison Park. The 25-year-old has notched three goals and six assists in 34 starts across all comps – not bad for a bloke who was once deemed surplus to requirements. His recent run of form has been electric, turning heads far and wide, including back at Carrington.

Everton fans are loving it. He's starting every game, covering every blade of grass, and delivering set-pieces that could curl your toes. That new deal? It's a five-year beauty, tying him down until he's sipping tea in his mid-30s. Smart move by the Toffees – they've turned a bargain into a cornerstone.

As reported by The Peoples Person on OneFootball, there was even a whisper of a sensational homecoming before the ink dried on his extension. But Garner's loyalty to Sean Dyche's side is rock solid. No drama, just commitment.

Rooney's Pub Chat: 'He's the Ideal United Grad'

Enter Wayne Rooney, United legend and podcast host extraordinaire. On his show, Wazza didn't hold back, hailing Garner as the blueprint for what a Carrington kid should be. 'He does everything well,' Rooney gushed. 'Ability on the ball, set-pieces, tackling – tick, tick, tick.'

Rooney's watched Garner grow from a youngster, and he reckons you can spot the United academy polish a mile off. The attitude, the hunger, the non-stop running – it's all there. Sure, there were murmurs about his mobility back in the day, but Rooney says that's ancient history. 'He's one of the fittest on the pitch, and a big lad too. People don't realise how tall he is!'

It's classic Rooney – straight-talking, no nonsense, like he's dissecting the game over a lager. He even predicts Garner will be indispensable for Everton over the next half-decade. High praise from a bloke who's won it all.

United's Regret and Everton's Win

Let's be real: United's midfield has been a revolving door of late. Letting Garner go feels like another howler in a long line of head-scratchers. Imagine him partnering Kobbie Mainoo in the engine room? That'd be some duo – youth, grit, and bags of potential.

Thankfully, it seems the Red Devils are wising up. Reports suggest Mainoo's on the verge of a new deal, learning from past gaffes like the Garner saga. Meanwhile, Everton are rubbing their hands. In a league where survival's the name of the game, nabbing a gem like this on a long-term contract is pure gold.

Garner's story is a reminder that football's full of 'what ifs'. United might rue the day they waved him goodbye, but for the Blues, it's Christmas come early. Rooney's endorsement? The cherry on top. Raise a glass to Garner – he's proving the doubters wrong, one tackle at a time.

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