Wayne Rooney rolls back the years with stunning MLS hat-trick

Wayne Rooney shoots to score during an MLS match [Courtesy]

Former England captain Wayne Rooney scored the first hat-trick of his MLS career as DC United thrashed nine-man Real Salt Lake 5-0.

The Ex-Everton and Manchester United striker opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 34th minute and found the net again before the break.

Real Salt Lake were reduced to 10 men before the break when Jefferson Savarino was shown a red card for a high kick into Luciano Acosta’s face while reaching for the ball.

Rooney completed his hat-trick in the 65th minute and moments later Real Salt Lake lost another man when Marcelo Silva received a second yellow for a foul on Lucas Rodriguez.

Rodriguez and Ulises Segura made sure of the victory in the 76th and 80th minute respectively, giving United seven points from their first three matches.

Rooney scored the first hat-trick of his MLS career [Courtesy]

Rooney has made a stunning impact since arriving at DC United from Everton in June 2018.

In 20 appearances after his summer arrival last year, he became DC's leading scorer with 12 goals, and added seven assists as they suffered heartbreak in the MLS play-offs.

Elsewhere in the MLS, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, another former United striker who now plays in the States, was still out injured as his LA Galaxy side edged past Minnesota United 3-2.

LA built a 2-0 lead after Jonathan Dos Santos converted a spotkick and Chris Pontius found the net in the 41st minute before Jan Gregus pulled one back for Minnesota 15 minutes from time.

The Galaxy restored the two-goal advantage when Sebastian Lletget scored his first of the season with nine minutes remaining and substitute Angelo Rodriguez ensured a tense finish when he found the net in the 87th minute but Galaxy held out for the win.