Wayne Rooney: LA Galaxy making moves to sign Manchester United captain
Could Wayne Rooney be on his way to MLS? The LA Galaxy have begun talks with Manchester United regarding signing the veteran.
Wayne Rooney’s future could lie in MLS after the LA Galaxy began talks to sign Rooney from Manchester United, according to The Sun. LA could be losing Steven Gerrard after this season ends and want Rooney to be his replacement.
The Galaxy have made enquiries as to just how much Rooney would cost to acquire. The current United captain earns four times what Gerrard currently does in Los Angeles. Rooney was told earlier this week that he needed to leave Old Trafford if he still wants to be a starter.
Rooney’s form has declined considerably over recent seasons, and now the 31-year-old is struggling to get minutes on the field. Jose Mourinho arrived at the club in the summer, and despite backing Rooney initially, has had to demote the Englishman to the bench.
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A move many fans thought was long overdue. It had seemed like recent United managers had been trying to shoehorn Rooney into the team somewhere. Anywhere. Any position. Is he a striker still? A number 10? Or is he now better served as a midfielder?
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Still, nobody knows. Rooney’s been poor in every position he has been tried in pretty much. The competition in attack is strong for United now, even if Mourinho still doesn’t know his best starting XI. The one thing he does now is that Wayne Rooney isn’t in it.
And earning the extortionate salary he is, it’s no surprise the club want Rooney off the payroll. But is Los Angeles and the Galaxy the right move for Rooney? Heck, is it even the right move for the Galaxy?
Rooney’s form over the past few seasons makes you question where his level is really at. Although, Robbie Keane had looked finished himself after five declining seasons in England, and he’s been sensational in MLS.
The leagues are completely different, obviously, so perhaps a Rooney signing would be a masterstroke after all. As poor as Rooney has been, his last five seasons overshadow Keane’s last five seasons in the Premier League. It’s not even close, really.
That’s what people often forget about Rooney. Your sure he’s been terrible for a while now, then you look and see he scored 27, 12, 17 and 12 goals in his last four seasons. It’s not that bad. By comparison Keane scored 15, 10, 6 and 2 respectively.
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So Wayne Rooney could be a big success in MLS. But at what price? The key, as always, will likely come down to money. Does Rooney deserve four times the salary Gerrard is currently on? No way. Rooney is not getting that. But how much the Galaxy are wiling to pay is the real question here.
Rooney could be a great signing. But only at the right price.