Jose Mourinho feels former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney’s move to America would generate further welcome interest in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Rooney is the Reds’ all-time leading scorer with 253 goals, surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton’s record last year, and left United last summer to re-join his boyhood club Everton after 13 successful trophy-laden years at Old Trafford, in which he won 16 major honours.
The 32-year-old, who was Everton’s top scorer in 2017/18 with 11 goals, has joined MLS side DC United.
When asked by reporters recently for his thoughts on Rooney’s next career move, the boss stated that the arrival of a high-profile figure such as the former England forward would be a massive boost for the game Stateside.
“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 Jose.
“Then in the Premier League again at Everton Football Club, so I think his career in England was perfect.
"I just hope he enjoys it and of course he’ll bring the attention that MLS needs to steal some people from the other sports that normally the American people are in love with."
“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 [Steven] Gerrard, you had [Frank] Lampard, you had [Patrick] Vieira, you had so many of them. David Beckham played there too.
“You now have Zlatan [Ibrahimovic], 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.”