Manchester United defender Daley Blind has praised Wayne Rooney following his summer exit for Everton, describing the move as "the best thing for him".

The 31-year-old called time on his nine-season stint at Old Trafford - a period which saw him become the club's all-time leading scorer - in order to return to his boyhood club on a two-year deal.

Rooney has since started in all four Premier League games for Ronald Koeman's side, scoring two goals, and Blind says that the striker's desire to get guaranteed game time was the key factor in him leaving.

"He wanted to play more than he did [for us]," Blind told Sky Sports News. "They think this is the best thing for him.

"Everton came for him which is home. He is still a great player, a great personality and I am lucky I have played with him.

"You can see he is very important already. He is there working hard like he always did for us - giving assists and making goals and that is what he is capable of."

Rooney will turn to Old Trafford for the first time on Sunday afternoon as he faces off against his former side in the Premier League.