Wayne Rooney discusses D.C. United’s growth, MLS officiating, Ted Lasso and Apple TV+
It’s still a little weird seeing Wayne Rooney, arguably the greatest attacking player in the history of English football (and certainly among its most famous), lounging around D.C. United’s training facility in suburban Leesburg, Virginia.
The former D.C. player returned last year to accept a position as the club’s head coach. He arrived after a short spell managing Derby County, an assignment rife with drama and financial challenges. Forced to deal with a transfer ban and a points deduction, Rooney performed admirably enough with a collection of academy kids and journeymen. Under those conditions, though, you never got the sense that Rooney could find his feet as a manager.
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Things are a bit different in D.C. The wayward club has been mediocre at its best and downright awful at its worst. Things didn’t seem particularly promising during Rooney’s early days as the club’s manager, either. United were the worst side in MLS in 2022.
Slowly, though, signs of life have appeared. The club has spent more on players, and Rooney has had a little more time to put his stamp on things. The club’s midfield, for the first time in recent memory, feels sound (centrally, at least) with former Leeds United playmaker Mateusz Klich and Nottingham Forest loanee Lewis O’Brien offering grit and composure. After his own slow start, former Crystal Palace and Belgian national team attacker Christian Benteke has proven an effective option up top.
Under Rooney, United are nothing particularly complex, and that’s likely a good thing given their personnel. The former Manchester United man understands the complexities of the league he coaches in and seems focused on pliability, tinkering with the club’s shape and approach from opponent to
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