I respect him a lot: Rooney on Suarez links to DC United
Wayne Rooney has responded to the rumours of Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez potentially signing for Major League Soccer (MLS) side DC United.
Rooney was introduced as the new coach of DC United on Tuesday after parting ways with Derby County last month.
The Manchester United’s record goalscorer spent 18 months at DC United and captained the side before joining Derby as a player-coach in January 2020.
“I respect him (Luis Suarez) a lot as a player, and he’s amazing,” Rooney told the media.
“But I want players who come hungry and want to play for the club.
“I will work to identify and bring in the right ones.”
In recent weeks, Suarez has been linked with a move to the MLS after becoming a free agent.
The former Atletico Madrid frontman has admitted that he has received six offers from MLS and he’s currently analysing the offers.
In one of the interviews with Radio Sport 890, Suarez said: “The market in MLS is very complex. Some clubs want you, but they don’t have the slots, so it would have to be for January. Other clubs want you now, but I have to evaluate if they have a chance to qualify for the playoffs.”
However, the 35-year-old revealed that the fact that the MLS season ends in October could limit his suitors to playoffs as he aims to stay in shape ahead of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
“I’m not closing the door to anyone and I’ve listened to all the offers. But if some MLS teams don’t qualify for the playoffs, they end their season in the first week of October, and that’s not useful for me because I would stop for a month ahead of the World Cup, which wouldn’t be good for me.”
Meanwhile, D.C. United but the club currently is tied for the lowest points total in MLS and faces a high likelihood of missing the playoffs.
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