D.C. United manager Wayne Rooney has disclosed the secret behind his player acquisitions, and it comes down to a surprising source - Football Manager. The former Manchester United and England striker has been utilizing the Sports Interactive game to uncover hidden talents and unearth potential gems from across the globe.
Rooney, who spent two seasons playing for D.C. United towards the end of his illustrious career, took over as manager at the Washington outfit last season. When he first arrived, the team languished at the very bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference, but now, they have climbed their way up to a respectable ninth place.
"I must say, Football Manager has been a very useful tool in our player scouting and recruitment process," Rooney revealed. "A lot of the market is in South America, and we've formed a partnership with Football Manager, where they provide us access to the scouts they use around the world to create the game."
Football Manager, renowned for its comprehensive database and extensive scouting network, has been an invaluable resource for Rooney and his team. With the aid of 11 or 12 scouts provided through the game, D.C. United has managed to pinpoint talents from all corners of the globe, particularly in South America, which has been a rich source of emerging stars in MLS.
Rooney has made 15 new player acquisitions, each playing a pivotal role in his team’s latest resurgence. Among the notable signings are Christian Benteke, Mateusz Klich, and Lewis O'Brien, the latter two joining on loan from Nottingham Forest.
However, Rooney''s approach lies not only in securing well-known names but also in unearthing hidden gems. One such gem is Iraqi defender Mohanad Jeahze, who previously plied his trade in Sweden with Hammarby FC. Other managers including José Mourinho have previously acknowledged the utility of Football Manager's scouting network.
D.C United kick off their Leagues Cup 2023 campaign against Montréal on July 26 at Stade Saputo.
