According to the latest reports, Manchester United Legend Wayne Rooney is set to make a dramatic return to England to captain his nation against the U.S.A later on this month. The 33-year-old star forward will be included in Gareth Southgate’s squad to face the North American side in a charity fundraising friendly on 15th November.
It may not seem like it but Manchester United fans owe a lot more than just respect for Wayne Rooney. In fact, the Red Devils may need his services more now than ever despite his age factor as they are struggling for goals and any form of leadership at the club. Rooney is one of the only English players along with former club mate Michael Carrick to win the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, League Cup, FA Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. With 183 goals for Manchester United, Wayne Rooney is the club’s all-time top goalscorer and with 208 goals in the Premier League, Rooney is the 2nd highest goalscorer in the competition only after Alan Shearer.
Manchester United currently sits in 7th place on the Premier League table and are well behind the leaders of the pack Manchester City. The Blue half of Manchester has been dominating football over the past few seasons and the Red Devils do not want their noisy neighbors to pull further away. And how they wish they had the presence of a goalscorer like Wayne Rooney in their squad. The English superstar turned into an attacking midfielder towards his twilight years and then even as a defensive play-maker. His versatility was amazing but finally joined his boyhood club back Everton in 2017-18. Although Rooney still managed 10 goals for the Merseyside outfit, he wasn’t able to get back to his lethal best.
Rooney will be returning to England this month after joining MLS Side DC United earlier in 2018. Rooney has been shining in the United States and scored 12 times already notching up six assists as well in the Northern half of America. A lot of the English fans may not have given Rooney the credit he deserved for whatever he achieved for his country, in 119 caps for the three Lions; Rooney scored 53 goals for England becoming the country’s top scorer in the process. But with probably his last appearance in a charity game, the fans will be able to give the 33-year-old a respected farewell.
The FA have held talks with Rooney’s camp and are prepared to raise over £500,000 for various different charities across the globe. Although, Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane is the current captain for England, the 25-year-old will hand over the captain’s armband to Rooney on the 15th on November temporarily.
England will face a crunch tie in the UEFA Nations League round against Croatia a few days after the friendly against United States Of America at Wembley, but Rooney will not be taking part in that game. Hopefully, the Red Devils’ legend can once again take the field and shine for The Three Lions, helping them rise to the top.