What’s next for Wayne Rooney?
If you were to ask him right now, he’d almost certainly recite some PR-friendly spiel during which he’d insist upon his determination to do everything he could for Manchester United, how he’d continue to work hard in training to try to make his way back into Jose Mourinho’s thoughts and how he’s happy to help out in any way he can.
If you ask the bookmakers, they’ll simply say LA Galaxy.
Rooney is now 11/4 to make LA Galaxy the next, and probably final, destination in his professional career.
After falling firmly out of Mourinho’s favour for all games that aren’t against Fenerbahce, Rooney’s future at Old Trafford looks bleak and according to media reports, the England international has been told that he is free to leave if that’s what he wants.
And, according to the bookies, he wouldn’t be opposed to a move to Los Angeles.
Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane and Giovani Dos Santos are currently the Galaxy’s three designated players which means they are the three that are exceptions to the league’s salary cap.
But reports claim that Gerrard and Keane are to lose their designated player status once the current MLS season comes to a close.
Gerrard has suggested that a return to Liverpool is on the cards while Keane’s future is currently unknown.
The former Republic of Ireland international turned 36 in the summer and after enjoying such lucrative contracts in recent years, it’s unlikely that he would be willing to accept a salary cut the likes of which would be required if he was to lose his place as one of the Galaxy’s designated players.
And he’d be even less likely to hang about if his pay cut coincided with the requirement to play second fiddle to Rooney should he become Bruce Arena’s first-choice striker.
This is all speculation as of now and it’s very possible that Rooney stays put but once the PR spiel ends and the United captain’s expressions of unhappiness become more frequent and honest, we’d expect Keane to start weighing up his options elsewhere.
You can catch up on the latest episode of JOE’s Football Friday Live right here…
