“It’s the membership I grew up supporting and loving,” he mentioned. “They’re going by way of a really troublesome interval within the membership’s historical past and so they felt a change was vital. Sean Dyche may be very skilled. He has all the time been an skilled supervisor.”
Daichi, who was sacked by Burnley final spring after 10 years, signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Everton, who’re nineteenth within the 20-team league and prone to relegation for the primary time since 1954.
Rooney joined Everton’s youth academy on the age of 9 and signed an expert contract on the age of 16. He performed two seasons with the primary workforce earlier than shifting to Manchester United, the place he reached stardom, then returned to Everton in 2017. A 12 months later, he signed with D.C. United as a participant for 1 seasons.
Rooney’s teaching contract with D.C. United is just assured by way of this MLS season – he took over final summer season – and features a membership possibility for 2024.
“It was what felt proper,” he mentioned of the short-term deal. “There have been questions I needed to know the solutions from the house owners: What gamers can we herald and ensure I get what I wish to construct the workforce?”
When requested if he had gotten what he needed this season, Rooney mentioned, “You all the time need extra. The gamers we have introduced in, I am comfortable. I am assured we’ll have a very good season and I hope we get a participant or two earlier than that.” [transfer] Window [closes this spring]. If not, we might see the place we’re at in the course of the season” when the summer season window opens.
He added, “We’re nonetheless trying, however with the price range the best way it really works, we’re in search of the proper participant in the proper place.”
Cliche’s arrival is imminent
And Rooney mentioned Matthews Klitsch, United’s winter signing from Premier League membership Leeds, is about to obtain his work visa and be a part of the membership this week.
Clich, a striker, signed for United on January 12 and met his new team-mates in Washington, however wanted to return to Europe as visa formalities completed.
Rooney mentioned Clich is about to make his preseason debut subsequent Monday in opposition to MLS Cup champions Los Angeles FC on the Coachella Valley Invitational in Indio, California.
Rooney added that Clich continued to work with health trainers in Leeds whereas he waited for the visa formalities to be resolved.
Coachella recreation plans
United will open Wednesday’s Coachella event with a 90-minute recreation in opposition to Charlotte FC and a 45-minute recreation in opposition to Vancouver Whitecaps.
Rooney mentioned he would play a number of beginning gamers for 75 minutes in opposition to Charlotte, after which enter the reserves, who would then play the complete 45 in opposition to the Whitecaps.
A number of gamers are unavailable, together with 4 defenders: Stephen Birnbaum (sickness), Derrick Williams (groin), Donovan Baines (recovering from hernia surgical procedure), and Brendan Hines-Ake (foot surgical procedure). Rooney mentioned Williams, a potential rookie acquired from the LA Galaxy within the offseason, might be out for a number of weeks.
On Wednesday, Maathai Akinmboni, 16, will accomplice at centre-back with Andy Najjar, right-back and winger.
Carpenter, who’s battling Brazilian newcomer Rouen for the right-back spot, has been “implausible in pre-season”, mentioned Rooney.
Midfielder Viktor Palson, who might play within the centre-back place, is every week away from coming back from a hamstring harm.
The goalkeeper’s place is unstable
Rooney mentioned Alex Bono, one of many three new goaltenders on the roster, is slated to begin in opposition to Charlotte. Tyler Miller – who like Bono signed a free agent contract with United this winter – began within the 3-2 defeat by the Los Angeles Galaxy final week in Carson, California.
Luis Zamudio, who performed for Second Division facet Loudon United final 12 months, is about to begin in opposition to Vancouver.
“I need all of them to have a very good time within the first two or three video games, so I can see them correctly after which resolve” on who begins the season opener on February 25 in opposition to Toronto FC, Rooney mentioned. “They’ve all educated very well. They push one another, so that is what I needed.”
Midfielder Ravel Morrison, who adopted Rooney to United from Derby County final summer season, could also be on his manner out.
“He is speaking to the membership,” mentioned Rooney. “He is been coaching very well, however I do know there are some conversations about what we will do sooner or later.” …
Rooney mentioned former Vancouver coach Carl Robinson was near signing a contract to hitch the workforce as an assistant.
“I felt it was vital to have one other coach who is aware of the league and who clearly has expertise as a head coach,” Rooney mentioned. “I’ve spoken to him a number of occasions this winter, and it simply felt so proper.” …
Midfielder Alex Nagy, a participant picked final winter who signed for Loudon United this month, is coaching with the primary workforce and may very well be provided an MLS contract. …
Georgetown quarterback Aidan Rocha remains to be in camp. …
Ignacio “Nacho” Alem, a 16-year-old striker from the youth academy, can be in camp and will change into an area signing goal this 12 months.