Wayne Rooney

Liverpool winning the Premier League title this season "would be a nightmare" result, former Manchester United and Everton striker Wayne Rooney has said. 

Rooney, 33, grew up an Everton supporter before joining Liverpool's other most-heated rivals, the Red Devils, and now represents D.C. United in Major League Soccer. He recently appeared on TalkSport's drivetime show and gave his backing to Manchester City—second in the Premier League—to defend their crown:

"It's a great reason to be out the country when those two are going head to head for the title.

"I hope Man City get over the line before Liverpool.

"I couldn't bear to see them win it, it would be a nightmare for any Evertonian.

"I remember in 2005 they won the Champions League, and they're still talking about it now so it would be another 10 or 15 years of that!"

Liverpool are on track to challenge for what would be their first league title since 1990.

Jurgen Klopp's side have their noses in front of City and are two points ahead at the summit with seven games left to play, although Pep Guardiola's men have a match in hand.

Almost one year has passed since Rooney left Goodison Park for the second time in his career and jetted off to Washington D.C.

The veteran forward recently netted his first hat-trick in MLS, per Sky Sports News:

🔴 Liverpool go back top

3️⃣ Rooney hits MLS hat-trick

😮 Keeper makes wonder save

⌚ - It's Sky Sports News in 60 seconds with @TAGHeuer! #ICYMI pic.twitter.com/KfC1IPX3cR

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 17, 2019

Rooney's former United team-mate Rio Ferdinand also jumped on the City bandwagon and told the Mirror's Jo-Anne Rowney and Darren Wells what a Liverpool triumph would mean:

"There's fans I didn't even know supported Liverpool that have come back out of the woodwork after 20 years of being silent that are starting to speak before they've won anything so it'd be a lot more painful to see them win the league [over Man City], but listen the best team will win it and whoever that is well done."

Rooney appeared on BT Sport earlier this season and expressed his dissatisfaction with Liverpool's improving form in the title race (UK only):

1️⃣ Liverpool
2️⃣ Manchester City

"It's a very good time to be in the States! It's painful! 😭

Wayne Rooney isn't enjoying this title race one bit 😂#PLTonight pic.twitter.com/7HsdCzZ5Oy

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 23, 2018

Former club United have improved their form since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed manager in December and sit fifth, while Everton are 11th but only four points off Wolverhampton Wanderers in seventh.

The Citizens can no longer match last season's Premier League title-winning total of 100 points and certainly won't finish 19 points clear of their closest competition, as was the case against 2017-18 runners-up United.

Choosing City as the lesser of two evils compared to Liverpool stands as evidence as to just how badly United's alumni want to see Liverpool's wait for a top-flight title continue.

DC United star Wayne Rooney believes former Manchester United team-mate Paul Pogba would be a "great" addition to Major League Soccer.

Rooney made the move to Washington last year, and he feels others could follow in his footsteps.

He told Sky Sports (h/t Goal's Chris Burton):

"There are lots of players who could come over and could be very successful here.

"Obviously players I have played with—Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford—players like that are great players.

"I know Paul Pogba loves coming to the States. His brother is here, so I'm sure he'd be a great signing for anyone."

Pogba's brother, Florentin, joined Atlanta United in February.

Rooney moved to DC United from Everton in July last year, and a strong debut campaign saw him contribute 12 goals and six assists in 21 appearances.

His efforts helped DC reach MLS' play-offs, where they were defeated by Columbus Crew on penalties.

On Sunday, he scored his first hat-trick in MLS and grabbed an assist as DC beat Real Salt Lake 5-0:

#DCU dropped 🖐️ on #RSL last night. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/DdOPYziPQC

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 17, 2019

Football reporter Jonathan Tannenwald relayed his numbers from the game, via WhoScored.com:

My @soccerreporters MLS Player of the Week ballot:

1. Rooney
2. Piatti

Rooney vs. RSL, via @WhoScored:

82 touches
11 shots (5 on target)
5 chances created
3 goals (1 PK)
1 assist
1 interception
62 pass attempts, 80.7% accuracy
12 long balls (10 accurate)
4 crosses (2 accurate)

— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) March 18, 2019

Football writer Kristan Heneage was particularly impressed with his play in the buildup to his second goal:

Wayne Rooney did a good job of managing the press for #DCU here (you don’t see all of it in this clip). Instead of just running head on he kept splitting the RSL defenders as D.C. laid a trap. He even had the presence of mind to stay onside when it was sent left. https://t.co/unpDIvcbAh

— Kris Heneage (@KHeneage) March 17, 2019

MLS has given the 33-year-old a career renaissance after he spent several years visibly declining in English football.

Pogba, 26, is in the prime of his career and seems unlikely to leave the confines of the European game in the near future.

He has displayed some of his best form with the Red Devils in recent months since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over from Jose Mourinho in December.

In that time, he's scored nine goals to take his tally to 14 for the season, having scored a total of 15 in his first two campaigns back at Old Trafford following his return in 2016.

United are still in the UEFA Champions League this season, and Pogba will hope to help the team challenge for it and other major honours in the coming years.

MLS has become an increasingly viable and attractive destination for players in Europe, though, with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andrea Pirlo, Thierry Henry and Frank Lampard among those to cross the Atlantic.

In the future, Pogba could be another coup for an MLS side.  

Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has said he would be delighted if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is named as the Red Devils manager at the end of the season, but he gave his backing to Tottenham Hotspur's Mauricio Pochettino to arrive at Old Trafford if the club look elsewhere. 

Solskjaer has been a revelation since taking interim charge at the Theatre of Dreams, and Rooney has thrown his weight behind his former team-mate to be rewarded with a permanent deal.

Speaking to CNN Sport, Rooney commended the Norwegian's claim for the position but added the Spurs boss into the mix:

"Ole Gunnar's a fantastic person. I think the club will have a decision to make at the end of the season, and it'd be nice to see if Ole's going to continue with this form and get a shot at the job on the permanent basis. But if not, if the club go to choose from somewhere else, then I think in my opinion Pochettino would be the right guy."

Solskjaer has teamed up with Mike Phelan to oversee the first team at Carrington, and United have gone unbeaten since former manager Jose Mourinho departed the club on December 18.

Phelan has been pivotal on the touchline in matches, and Solskjaer has been able to motivate the squad to win nine of their last 10 games in all competitions.

It's a rich vein of form not seen by United supporters since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, and the team are once again playing the club's traditional brand of attacking football.

Solskjaer and Phelan have both been mentored by Ferguson through their playing and coaching careers, and United have had a new lease of life breathed into them in recent weeks.

However, there's still a clamour for United to steal Pochettino away from the capital, with the Argentinian proving he is on a par with Manchester City's Pep Guardiola and Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp in the title race.

Neil Custis of The Sun has backed Solskjaer over Pochettino to take United forward:

"Ole's at the wheel and no longer needs his L Plates. He has passed his test and needs to be given a full licence now to take Manchester United back to the future. Three or four games is a honeymoon period, but nine wins from 10 is a pointer to what can be achieved. 

"It has been more than just results that has seen Solskjaer power past Mauricio Pochettino into pole position for the permanent place in the Old Trafford hot seat."

Spurs are only five points off the English summit and could end the campaign as the surprise winners of the Premier League if City and Liverpool capitulate.

Popular opinion has swung towards United's interim coach, and the man who scored the goal that secured the 1999 treble achievement has put smiles on the faces of his fans and squad.

Paul Pogba is playing at his best level in a United shirt, and Marcus Rashford has become a predatory marksman since being moved into the centre forward position.

There are still plenty of hurdles for Solskjaer to jump if he truly wants the full-time manager's role next term, but he has already proved he knows the style of football every Red Devils side should be playing.

Wayne Rooney has said he could "still play in the Premier League" and has had his say on who will be the next permanent Manchester United manager.

The former United and Everton forward moved to Major League Soccer side DC United in June last year. 

He netted 12 goals and provided six assists in 21 MLS appearances in his debut season in the United States and helped DC United reach the play-offs.

Rooney, 33, is confident he still has what it takes to play in the English top flight, per Glen Levy and James Masters of CNN Sport:

"If I'm being honest, I know quality wise, I can still play in the Premier League. I know that. I've always been a confident person, and so I have high expectations of myself. And yeah, I've come here expecting to do well. And I think there was a surprise from people who have their opinions, which is fair enough, but I never doubted myself at all."

Rooney's two former Premier League clubs are experiencing disparate fortunes of late.

Everton, the club where the former England captain first broke onto the scene, have won just three of their last 12 games in the Premier League and sit ninth.

United, meanwhile, have nine wins and a draw from their last 10 games.

The Red Devils' remarkable recent run has come under interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who took charge of the club after Jose Mourinho was sacked in December.

Rooney played with the Norwegian at Old Trafford between 2004 and 2007, when Solskjaer was forced to retire due to injury.

His return to United as manager has proved hugely popular given his status as a club legend having scored a last-gasp winner in the 1999 UEFA Champions League final.

However, Solskjaer is still only in charge on a caretaker basis. It is still expected that he will return to Molde at the end of the season and a new permanent manager will be appointed at Old Trafford.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has been widely touted as United's No. 1 choice to fill the role long term.

Per Levy and Masters, Rooney believes the Argentinian would be a good appointment, but he said Solskjaer has put himself in a good position to continue into next term: 

"Ole Gunnar's a fantastic person. I think the club will have a decision to make at the end of the season, and it'd be nice to see if Ole's going to continue with this form, and get a shot at the job on a permanent basis. But if not, if the club go to choose from somewhere else, then I think in my opinion Pochettino would be the right guy."

Wayne Rooney was arrested in December on charges of "public intoxication" and "swearing."

Erin Hawksworth of ABC7 News relayed the D.C. United forward's charge sheet and details of his release:

#BreakingNews: DC United’s Wayne Rooney was arrested on public intoxication and swearing charges, sources tell @abc7news #MLS #DCUnited pic.twitter.com/W4KWnnDkcT

— Erin Hawksworth (@ErinHawksworth) January 6, 2019

He was detained at the Loudon County Adult Detention Centre.

BREAKING: Wayne Rooney was arrested following a public intoxication incident at an airport in the USA on 16th December. The DC United striker was fined $25 and had to pay $91 costs for the misdemeanour. Loudoun County Sherrif’s Office has provided me with this custody pic.... pic.twitter.com/ikZoG5Pxoa

— Rebecca Williams 📺 (@RebeccaTVnews) January 6, 2019

Rooney was subsequently freed on his own recognizance, but the 33-year-old did pay a fine worth $25 for the offence, which is thought to have taken place in Loudon County, Virginia on Sunday, December 16, according to The Athletic's Paul Tenorio and Pablo Maurer.

Rooney is said to have paid the fine Friday, January 4. On the same day, Rooney had looked toward the start of a new season with D.C. United:

One of my favourite @dcunited moments from 2018. Can’t wait to get back training soon ready for the new @MLS season 🙌🔴⚫️ #FlashbackFriday #MLS pic.twitter.com/N0JdyGxHms

— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) January 4, 2019

Paying the fine has spared Rooney a hearing originally set for January 24.

He was arrested on a class four misdemeanour by officers of the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority. Rooney had attended the Riyadh Formula E Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia the day before, according to Jacob Murtagh of the Daily Mirror.

A spokesman for Rooney said the footballer "took a prescribed amount of sleeping tablets mixed with some alcohol consumption" on the flight back from Riyadh, per BBC Sport.

The combination left Rooney "disorientated on arrival."

D.C. United responded with the following statement, per the same source:

"We are aware of news reports indicating that Wayne Rooney was arrested in December. We understand the media's interest in this matter but we believe this is a private matter for Wayne that DC United will handle internally. We have no further comment on this situation."

This isn't Rooney's first scrape with the law or with issues related to intoxication. The former Everton and Manchester United star was arrested by Cheshire police in September 2017 and later charged with drink-driving during the early hours.

Rooney admitted the charges and entered a plea of guilty after being found to have been "almost three times" over the legal limit. England's all-time goalscorer later released a message of apology for his actions:

My statement of apology - https://t.co/51WmrVDCev

— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) September 18, 2017

Rooney has been living in the United States since moving to Major League Soccer last summer. On the pitch, the move has proved a success, with Rooney winning the club MVP award after finishing as the team's top goalscorer.

He is still serving the remainder of a two-year ban from driving in the UK for his 2017 offence.

Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney believes the club was right to sack Jose Mourinho as manager.

On Tuesday, United relieved Mourinho of his duties and appointed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as caretaker boss until the end of the season the following day.

Speaking as a pundit on BT Sport ahead of United's 5-1 victory over Cardiff City on Saturday—Solskjaer's first game in charge—Rooney said (h/t the Mirror's Thomas Bristow):

"Yeah something had to change and I think it was the right decision. Obviously the club have given Ole the job until the end of the season and see how he does while they search for a new manager and try and make sure they get the right one this time."

Mourinho had left the Red Devils 19 points off the top of the table and 11 behind the top four, having struggled to get the most out of his players.

Rooney believes there was a disconnect between Mourinho and his staff and the squad:

"The relationship between some staff and some players wasn't great."

"Bringing Ole in is a good move from the club."

But @WayneRooney says the Man Utd players MUST back him up with a win this evening... pic.twitter.com/NTkbG11Xbw

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 22, 2018

The former England international spent his final season at Old Trafford under the Portuguese coach before leaving.

He started 25 of the 39 matches he played under Mourinho but was gradually phased out of the side and was benched for both the League Cup and UEFA Europa League finals, appearing in the latter for only a minute.

Rooney felt Mourinho's communication with the players needed work:

This is so revealing ⚠️

"The big thing with Jose was the communication with players."

"I KNOW the players weren't happy with that!" 👀

Wayne Rooney tells #PLTonight why he felt he had to leave Man Utd... pic.twitter.com/vEhzTBaJ5P

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 22, 2018

Replacing Mourinho with Solskjaer prompted an instant response from United players, who comfortably and confidently dispatched Cardiff thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford, Ander Herrera, Anthony Martial and a brace from Jesse Lingard.

It marked the first time United had scored five goals in a single league match since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, following a 5-5 draw with West Bromwich Albion in his final game in charge.

The Mail on Sunday's Oliver Holt and ESPN FC's Mark Ogden believe the Red Devils' previous struggles were largely because of Mourinho's management rather than a lack of motivation on the players' part:

I don't buy idea United's players should be criticised for failing to perform like this under Mourinho. It's a manager's job to get the best out of his players. Previous performances are down to him. He suffocated his players. Today, it felt like they started to breathe again

— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) December 22, 2018

Two ways to look at United’s first-half performance. The players were letting Mourinho down (easy to say) or Mourinho was letting them down with his management / tactics. A bit of one, a bit more of the other...

— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) December 22, 2018

It was only one match against a side battling relegation, but the contrast between United's performance against Cardiff and their play under Mourinho was stark—it's difficult to imagine they would have put in anything like that kind of showing were the Portuguese in charge.

The match will have restored some much-needed confidence, and Solskjaer needs to keep the feelgood factor going for the remainder of the season to ensure as positive a finish to the campaign as possible.

As for Mourinho, some reflection on where the United job went wrong—and what he could have done better—could help him have a more successful time when he returns to the game.

England beat the United States 3-0 in an international friendly at Wembley Stadium on Thursday. The game was a sendoff for record-goalscorer Wayne Rooney on a night when Jadon Sancho and Callum Wilson thrived during their senior debuts for the Three Lions.

Sancho assisted England's second goal by teeing up Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold after Jesse Lingard had given the hosts the lead. Bournemouth striker Wilson added a third for England 13 minutes from time when he met a Fabian Delph cross.

    

Christian Pulisic is Not Ready for EPL

Christian Pulisic recently expressed his desire to play in the Premier League one day, amid links to Chelsea, per Ed Aarons of the Guardian. Based on the evidence at Wembley, though, the 20-year-old Borussia Dortmund forward isn't ready for England's top flight.

Pulisic wasted his chance to show suitors what he'd add to the Premier League after he struggled to assert himself in the final third. He looked lost up against an England back four that had never played together before, a unit featuring senior international debutant Lewis Dunk.

Getting involved in support of lone striker Bobby Wood proved a challenge for Pulisic. He often drifted too deep to try and get on the ball, but he was late getting forward when opportunities to break arose.

#USMNT's first-half touches with Pulisic...look a lot like they did without him: pic.twitter.com/OrIxvyD0m1

— Paul Carr (@PaulCarr) November 15, 2018

On the rare occasions he did get on the ball, Pulisic fluffed his lines where it mattered most. He spurned a glorious chance after his own hard running had put him one-on-one with Three Lions goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

One touch too many touches narrowed the angle for Pulisic who saw a tame effort saved from close range. The miss spoke to the obvious flaw in the youngster's game:

Pulisic needs to become a better finisher. He's scored goals for the USMNT, but he's had trouble finding the back of the net for Dortmund... and it's not for a lack of chances. #bvb #engvusa

— sam samolians (@SamoliansSam) November 15, 2018

Finishing wasn't the only issue for Pulisic, who made the wrong decision several times between the midfield and forward lines. He took shots on at the expense of releasing runners in behind with smart passing.

Pulisic will have easier games, but his reputation, along with the key No. 10 role handed to him at international level, means it's reasonable to expect more from this burgeoning talent.

   

Jadon Sancho's Rise is Bad News for Marcus Rashford

Pulisic struggled, but his Dortmund teammate Jadon Sancho proved his recent rise isn't restricted to club level. The Manchester City loanee helped improve the fluidity and pace of play along England's forward line.

His stellar debut and ongoing rapid development are great for Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate, but it's bad news for Marcus Rashford. Sancho has showcased the skills to become a feature in Southgate's best front three, a situation potentially leaving Manchester United striker Rashford out in the cold.

England's ideal XI is likely to continue to include Harry Kane through the middle and Raheem Sterling supporting from one flank. It leaves one space open, a position Sancho has already proved he can fill.

The 18-year-old had the visitors' midfield and defence chasing shadows thanks to a series of deft touches early on which helped justify the hype surrounding the winger:

Jadon Sancho has touched the ball about 5 times but already he looks 🔥.

Can't wait for 2038 and his last appearance in an England shirt after lifting the World Cup 3 times as captain. 🙌

— Coral (@Coral) November 15, 2018

We rightly or wrongly hype players up too early. Always have and probably always will. That said, Jadon Sancho is class. Mesmeric little touches, could watch it all day long. #ENGUSA

— Danny Gallagher (@Danny7Gallagher) November 15, 2018

There was more than just a fancy flick or two to Sancho's performance. He proved his knack for the end product by rolling a superbly weighted pass into the path of Alexander-Arnold for England's second goal.

Creativity is fast becoming a niche for Sancho, who is outperforming some of the most accomplished playmakers in European football:

Jadon Sancho has now contributed a goal or assist in 11 of his 19 appearances for @bvb and @England this season - 5 goals & 9 assists in those matches pic.twitter.com/l8TTt6zVX3

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) November 15, 2018

👏 👌 Assists this season...

- Sancho: 9

- Eriksen: 4

- Silva: 3

- Ozil: 1#ENGUSA#ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/f6FJqouDS2

— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) November 15, 2018

Sancho's eye for a pass, technique and range of movement should put him ahead of Rashford in Southgate's thinking. The latter can operate out wide but is ultimately a natural centre-forward whose pace is best used through the middle.

   

What's Next

England host 2018 FIFA World Cup runners-up Croatia in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday, while the USA travel to Italy for another friendly on Tuesday, November 20.

Wayne Rooney has ruled out the possibility of returning to the Premier League on loan during MLS' offseason and stated his intention to retire with DC United. 

DC United won't be back in action until MLS' 2019 season starts in next March, but Rooney will not be returning to England in the meantime.

Per the Evening Standard, he said:

"I've seen talk of a loan back here and I'm not prepared to do that. With my family, it wouldn't be fair to come back and forward.

"I made the decision to obviously go to the States. When I make a decision, I tend to stick to it. It's important that I give my full commitment to DC. I will finish my career there."

Sky Sports Premier League shared Rooney's comments at a press conference:

"I am not prepared to do that. I will finish my career in America"

Wayne Rooney will not be returning to the Premier League...

More: https://t.co/VzenyWbGpF pic.twitter.com/Lzu88QCPPj

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 13, 2018

Rooney spoke ahead of a farewell appearance for the England national team in Thursday's friendly against the United States.

His comments echoed those he has previously made on the matter:

“I’m committed to DC.”

Wayne Rooney tells @ESPNFC he will not join another club on loan in the MLS off-season. pic.twitter.com/DD0gOI6HXr

— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) October 27, 2018

The 33-year-old joined DC United in the summer, a year after swapping Manchester United for boyhood club Everton.

He enjoyed a remarkable renaissance in MLS, racking up 12 goals and six assists in 21 appearances for his new side.

Here's one of his most impressive highlights:

Chases back 🏃
Slide tackles opponent 🚫
Pings a long-range pass 💫
Assists the winning goal 🙌

Happy 33rd Birthday, Wayne Rooney! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/ZPzq4xyYqs

— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) October 24, 2018

Rooney's superb form had a transformative effect on DC's fortunes. The side had won just two of their 14 matches before he arrived, but they triumphed in 12 of the 21 matches in which he appeared.

Despite arriving midway through the season, his efforts earned him a nomination for MLS' MVP award.

Opting against a return looks to be a wise decision, though. Rooney's ability to impact Premier League matches in a positive way had been declining before he left.

By resting he should be fresh for the start of next season with DC. If he has a full season with them playing anything like as well as he did this year, they'll reap the rewards of that.

LA Galaxy forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic has narrowly beaten Wayne Rooney of DC United to the MLS Newcomer of the Year award. 

Steven Goff of the Washington Post shared the final results, showing the Swede got 36 percent of the vote, with Rooney coming in at 32 percent. He also broke the numbers down:

Ibra edged Rooney on players’ ballots, Rooney won the clubs’ votes, Ibra won media voting easily

— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) November 12, 2018

The Galaxy confirmed the news via their official website. 

The 37-year-old Ibrahimovic scored a remarkable 22 MLS goals in just 27 appearances, almost guiding his team to the play-offs. He finished the season as the competition's second-leading scorer behind Atlanta United's Josef Martinez, who played in 36 matches.

Rooney only featured in 21 contests but still managed to score 12 goals while adding six assists.

Both former Manchester United men had some incredible moments in their debut campaigns:

Zlatan Ibrahimović was named MLS Newcomer of the Year over Wayne Rooney.

It got us thinking ... Whose moment of magic was best? pic.twitter.com/8BkQXVcPPu

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 12, 2018

They also made the league's best XI:

Now that’s a squad.

Zlatan and Rooney both named to #BestXI in their debut MLS season. pic.twitter.com/vh3rqfA352

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 12, 2018

Rooney and DC United did make it to the postseason, but Columbus Crew beat them in the first round. The 33-year-old can look back on an incredible season, however, as the transformed a struggling side into play-off contenders.

The Guardian's Beau Dure wondered whether his great play will lead to new opportunities in Europe. Ibrahimovic has already been linked at length with a return to the Continent, and Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia) have reported a move to AC Milan is close.

He hasn't shied away from fueling the speculation:

The MLS play-offs will continue with the Conference Finals, with the first legs scheduled for November 25. Atlanta host New York Red Bulls while Sporting Kansas City visit Portland Timbers.

The United States' friendly fixture against England on Thursday will not be cheapened by a one-off testimonial appearance by their all-time top goalscorer Wayne Rooney, says interim Stars and Stripes coach Dave Sarachan.

Wembley will host the friendly fixture that's been named the "The Wayne Rooney Foundation International," in honour of the D.C. United star's charity. Rooney announced his retirement from the international game in August 2017, but Sarachan has no issue with the Three Lions legend giving his last farewell, per Sky Sports:

"It's not like Wayne retired and is just coming back after two years off. He's coming off a terrific season in the States with D.C. United and is in good form.

"I think every federation should reward players who have had a great history with the team, whether it's giving them a game or other ways."

It's been two years since Rooney made his last appearance for England, and opinion has been split over whether an official match—even if only a friendly—is the setting for his testimonial.

Rooney's wife, Coleen, recently defended the occasion and pointed to his status as England top scorer—a position held by Sir Bobby Charlton from May 1968 to September 2015—as justification:

Can’t believe how much negativity there is going around ....Let’s celebrate each other’s achievements ..... A record was broken for the country after 50 years surely that deserves some sort of recognition.

— Coleen Rooney (@ColeenRoo) November 12, 2018

The 33-year-old, who netted 53 times for England, left Everton for Major League Soccer in June and has enjoyed a resurgence with D.C. United, helping the club clinch a play-off place that looked almost impossible prior to his arrival.

The Football Association (h/t BBC Sport) confirmed Rooney will appear as a second-half substitute. But he won't be made captain, nor will he get to wear his old No. 10 shirt, now usually worn by Manchester City's Raheem Sterling.

Ex-Celtic striker Chris Sutton argued against the notion of Rooney being allowed to earn a 120th cap, and the BT Sport pundit said his appearance could deny a player with more genuine England aspirations:

"You can't just give caps out like that willy-nilly!" 😠

"If he scores a hat-trick, will he play against Croatia?" 🤷‍♂️

Safe to say @chris_sutton73 is not happy with Wayne Rooney's farewell international...#PLTonight pic.twitter.com/80ZZZIHnmM

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 10, 2018

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino gave the opposite view, however, and relished the opportunity to see Rooney back in England colours, via Goal:

Pochettino thinks it will be "fantastic" to see Rooney in an England shirt again pic.twitter.com/UNayO0s3pV

— GOAL (@goal) November 10, 2018

Sarachan agrees Rooney has the quality to stand at this level still, and the veteran will treat it as his own test of how he compares alongside some of his old team-mates.