Rooney unveiled as DC United manager

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney was unveiled on Tuesday as the new manager of DC United, the struggling Major League Soccer side he represented at the end of his playing career.

The 36-year-old arrived in Washington on Sunday evening and to take charge of the first team after his US work permit is approved, a process that typically takes two or three weeks. Until then, he is expected to serve the club as a consultant.

Rooney told the Washington Post that there are a “few things to sort out” with his contract as he arrived at Washington’s Dulles Airport, but that he was looking forward to the “challenge”.

There are no doubts that the new chapter in his career will be a challenge. DC United lost 7-0 to Philadelphia Union on Friday, a league record-equalling margin.

Rooney played for DC United, the only professional men’s team in the US capital, between 2018 and 2020.

The MLS season culminates with a play-off system, like in other American sports. DC United last made the play-offs in 2019, Rooney’s second year with the club as a player, but have since struggled on the pitch and have since had three head coaches.

After 17 games of the regular season, Rooney’s new team are second-bottom of the MLS’s Eastern Conference. He is expected to attend the club’s next home game, against Columbus Crew, on Wednesday night.

The move for the former Manchester United and Everton forward comes after he left his position as Derby County manager last month.

Rooney won plaudits for the way he led Derby, who were relegated to League One last season. The club has endured several years of financial trouble and were deducted a total of 21 points last season.

They received a 12-point deduction in September for entering administration before a further nine points were deducted in November after Derby admitted to breaches of the EFL’s profitability and sustainability rules, making relegation all but a certainty.