When Rooney decides to leave Manchester United, the MLS could very well be his next stop.
If you go up to any casual soccer fan and ask them to name one player who plays for Manchester United, you will usually get one name: Wayne Rooney. The English goal-scoring legend has had many successful seasons at Old Trafford but it is pretty obvious that his time at the club is slowly starting to come to an end. With a few years left in his tank, the question that everyone is asking is where will Rooney end up?
The trend of players taking huge paychecks and playing in China is still on the rise, which could see Rooney find himself on a flight heading East. John Cross from The Mirror reported that Rooney’s former England National Team head coach Sven Goran Eriksson, now in charge of Shanghai SIPG in the Chinese Super League, wants a reunion with the English striker. A reported $650,000 a week salary is on the table for Rooney, which could tempt anyone to make a move to China.
That’s not the only place the 30-year-old striker could end up, though. Also according to The Mirror, Merritt Paulson, owner of the Portland Timbers, has said that different MLS teams are monitoring Rooney’s future and would jump at the chance to sign him.
“The MLS is offering significant money. There were conversations with some guys who are as big a name as Rooney recently.
Orlando City had some high profile discussions with some players-guys in his age range. There are some big-dollar numbers that have been put out.”
But if China is offering Rooney such a huge paycheck, then what would make Rooney want to come to the MLS? Why does Merritt Paulson think that Rooney would choose the MLS over the Chinese Super League?
“I think America compares really favorably-I won’t want to play soccer in Beijing right now. I am not saying that because I don’t like China but the air quality issue is something they have to deal with in a sport which requires fitness.”
Wayne Rooney would likely look at former English National Team teammates David Beckham, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard to help sway his decision between the two leagues. Both Lampard and Gerrard have been enjoying success in the MLS so far and Beckham, who played for the LA Galaxy from 2007-2012 (including 2 years on loan to Milan), also found some success.
Seeing that he is still getting some good playing time for the Red Devils, it is hard to imagine Rooney leaving anytime soon. But players have been known to get on the bad side of head coach Jose Mourinho before and something could easily change.
Next: NYCFC: Has Patrick Vieira found the right balance?
Rooney has scored a total of 179 goals for Manchester United in his 370 appearances as well as 53 goals for the English National Team in 115 appearances. He has won the Premier League 5 times and the Champions League once.