Wayne Rooney left a significant mark on his capital USA. The 36-year-old Englishman, his team’s leading scorer and one of the leading figures in the Premier League over the past two decades, arrived in Washington in 2018 to take part in an interesting project with the DC Unitedand despite twice qualifying for the playoffs, they were knocked out in the first round.

Even so, Rooney raised the applause at the Audi Field premiere and left happy memories. The great duo he made with the Argentine Luciano Acosta (today at Cincinnati FC), filled fans with hope. Not to mention the most famous league move of recent years: epic comeback against Orlando City with a heroic assist right at number 10 to win 3-2.

One of my favorites @dcunited highlights from 2018. Can’t wait to get back to training soon ready for the new one @MLS season 🙌🔴⚫️ #FlashbackFriday #MLS pic.twitter.com/N0JdyGxHms

—Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) January 4, 2019

The romance lasted only 18 months. The striker returned to England to play in the Championship (second division) with them Derby County, a team he retired from in 2021 and once took over from the bench, but to no avail then, they lost the division 21-22 and now they will play from the next campaign in third place.

Penalty of 21 points for non-compliance fair play in England cost the club a historic relegation, as it will be the first time he has won the Premier League twiceplay in this category.

Now out of contract, Rooney is aiming to fire up United, one of the longest-running clubs in MLS that has a troubled present and needs a change of course.

The present of DC United

The 2022 of the red and blacks was complicated. In February they started with the The Argentinian Hernan Losadawhich had arrived in early 2021 to replace the historic Ben Olson who since 2010 was captain of the ship.

In that campaign, the former Independiente de Avellaneda posted a 14-15-5 record, staying within the gates of the postseason. Already in 2022 he retained the trust of the board and managed as many as eight matches, winning two and losing four. This time, the organization decided to put it aside -Allegedly Losanda criticized the club’s transfer policy and for that reason they terminated his contract-? leaving at Intermediate Chad Ashtontechnical assistant of the team since 2007.

Initially, the 54-year-old American was set to stay in place for the rest of the campaign, but things didn’t go as planned: three wins, two draws and seven losses (including a 7-0 rout of the Philadelphia Union this Friday). They are second to last in the Eastern Conference, trailing only Chicago Fire FC with a game in hand.

QUE. ONE NIGHT.#PHIvDC | 7-0 | #DOOP | @PlanetFitness pic.twitter.com/jTgWb2cAHC

— PhilaUnion (@PhilaUnion) July 9, 2022

That’s why the board picked up the phone – again – and has been in contact with Rooney for the last few hours so he can return, this time as technical director.

“DC United are in discussions with Wayne Rooney and his staff. to be the new coach of the Black Reds, with interest from both sides”listed on the MLS on its web portal.

If he takes over, he will be the youngest manager in the entire competition and the fifth Englishman, joining former Manchester United team-mate Phil Neville (Inter Miami), Gary Smith (Nashville SC), Nick Cushing (NYFC midfield) and Adrian Heath (Minnesota United).

“I understand there is a preliminary discussion (about him coming to DC). I think the fact that his family prefers life in the UK may be a factor (in not arriving).”ESPN reporter Jeff Carlisle reports.

From an ESPN colleague @MarkOgden_ (and a little assist from me)… Wayne Rooney is “open” to the possibility #DCU manager role. I’m told there’s been some preliminary discussions, though I’d imagine the fact that his family prefers life in the UK is a factor: https://t.co/QZzCqm11ot

— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) July 9, 2022

Rooney and American Justice

The striker’s stay in the United States was not always rosy, because in a year and a half he was involved in different scandals. On December 16, 2018, he was arrested at Virginia Dulles International.for being drunk in a public place, which is a misdemeanor in this state.

The former footballer spent several weeks in custody before being released on January 4 after posting bail.