Wayne Rooney’s Premier League career may be over, but Jose Mourinho believes that his move to the MLS will be a success.
Bursting onto the scene as a 16-year-old at Everton, he would soon become the most expensive teenager in the world, when Sir Alex Ferguson sanctioned a £25.6 million to take him down the M62 to join his all conquering Manchester United side back in 2004.
He would go on to become the leading goalscorer for both club and country, surpassing the records set by the great Bobby Charlton with his 253 Man Utd goals and 53 goals for England.
He made a heroes return to boyhood club Everton last summer, but reportedly had run-ins with now ex Blues boss Sam Allardyce and has decided to leave Goodison Park for the second time in his career, with MLS side DC United now confirmed to be his destination.
While his best days are long behind him, despite only being 32 years old, Man Utd manager Jose Mourinho believes that Rooney will be a big success over in America:
“When he made it at Everton, his boyhood club, the world was surprised with that kid and then he went to Manchester United and he had the incredible career he had,” said Mourinho.
“Then in the Premier League again at Everton Football Club, so I think his career in England was perfect.
“He decides the MLS [is next] and in MLS, you have always some iconic players that are going to end their career there.
“You had Gerrard, you had Lampard, you had Vieira, you had so many of them. David Beckham played there too.
“You now have Zlatan, you now have Wayne.
“I just hope he enjoys it and, of course, he’ll bring the attention that the MLS needs to attract more people, to steal some people from the other sports that normally the American people are in love with.”
