Moyes: I missed Wayne

When Rooney left Everton in 2004, amid some rancour, Moyes could’ve been forgiven for not being too worried if he ever saw the striker again.

But time has helped heal further damaging statements by Rooney over his relationship with the Scot in his autobiography and after Moyes succeeded Alex Ferguson in the summer, he made it his number one priority to keep the England forward.

Not only did he achieve that, Moyes has been hearing Rooney make the first conciliatory statements since all the rumours started about a potential summer move to Chelsea.

Ferguson stepped into the breach on Thursday, praising Rooney for his outstanding midweek display against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, when the 27-year-old became only the fourth player in United history to score 200 goals for the club.

Now Moyes will look for Rooney to deliver in tomorrow’s Manchester derby, admitting he is delighted the pair have been reunited.

“Have I missed him?” said Moyes.

“At the time when he left I wasn’t too sure but now I am with him I certainly have, because he is some player. If I had had him at Everton, on several occasions at different times, undoubtedly we would have finished in a much higher position.

“He has matured, as young men do. Once you get a family it calms you down.”

Although some argue otherwise, Moyes feels Rooney has developed into the talent he seemed destined to become when he first broke onto the scene as a 16-year-old in 2002.

“He was always a great player,” said Moyes. “Even when he was leaving Everton he had the potential.

“He had all the ability in the world but could he pull it all together? He has proved that over many years.”

And almost as importantly, Rooney is fully fit, returning for pre-season training in far better shape than any time in the recent past.

“The big thing is he got himself into really good shape physically,” said Moyes. “Just before he damaged his hamstring in Thailand — I told you that but I don’t know if you all believed me.

“I was really impressed with the condition he was in. He looks lean. He is back to being his aggressive self again. He is fast and hungry.”

And for that, Moyes gives credit to just one person.

“Everything he has done he has done himself,” said Moyes.

“He has knuckled down really well and done his training.

“Now he is getting the fruits of that but don’t for one minute think I am going to take the credit.”

For his part, City manager Manuel Pellegrini is hopeful playmaker David Silva will be fit for tomorrow’s derby. The Spain midfielder has missed City’s last two games after suffering a thigh injury while on international duty.

Defender Micah Richards could also come back into contention after missing the start of the season with hamstring trouble but the Etihad Stadium clash is likely to be too soon for left-back Gael Clichy.

Pellegrini said: “Richards is working normally with the whole squad, same thing for David Silva and Clichy starts now. Maybe he will not be ready for next Sunday but all the other players, except (Martin) Demichelis, are fit, no problems.”

City will be led by Vincent Kompany after their inspirational captain made a successful return from injury in the midweek Champions League win at Viktoria Plzen. Kompany had missed the previous three Premier League games after suffering a groin injury in the season-opening win over Newcastle.

Pellegrini said: “I think Vincent is a very important player for us.

“We worked well without Kompany. If you see our numbers in games he didn’t play, we had three clean sheets, but he is always important. He gives confidence to the whole team.”

Pellegrini knows facing the champions is a crucial early test.

“It is a match of six points. It is very important to win, (against) one of the most important teams.”