Rooney reveals the real reason he quit Everton for DC United

Rooney has spoken about his move to the MLS [Photo: Courtesy]

Wayne Rooney has revealed he left Everton for America because he didn’t want to be a “dead weight”.

Rooney has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with DC United in the MLS after accepting he had no future on Merseyside at his boyhood club.

The 32-year-old former Manchester Unites and England captain struggled to establish himself under Sam Allardyce at Goodison last season.

Marco Silva has replaced Allardyce and made no secret that Rooney was not part of his vision for the club.

Rooney told the BBC: “Everton made it clear if there was an offer there, they would be happy for me to go.

Rooney came off the bench for his MLS debut earlier this week [Photo: Courtesy]

“I understand they have brought a new manager in, got new staff, they obviously want to bring in players that manager wants.

“I am sure it will release money for the new players who come in. I am sure that was in their thinking.

“I said to them if that is what you want, I am not going to hang round and be a dead weight. I will go somewhere else and play.”

Rooney has a big contract in Washington [Photo: Courtesy]

Rooney cheered on England’s World Cup efforts from his new home and urged Premier League managers to give home-grown players more of a chance.

“It was great to watch although I was disappointed we didn’t get to the final,” added Rooney.

“They had a great tournament. They are a young team. Hopefully the club managers continue to play some of them and they get more game-time.”