Former Everton manager Sam Allardyce believes Wayne Rooney’s transfer to DC United will be ‘great’ for the player.
Rooney spent time under Allardyce’s tutelage last season but the ex-England forward began to get frustrated at being substituted with questions asked about his fitness.
A lack of game-time seemed set to continue under new boss Marco Silva, so the player agitated for a transfer.
And with a protracted move to MLS now finalised, the 63-year-old feels the player is set for an experience which will sate his wish to play as much football as possible.
Allardyce told talkSPORT: “He rarely didn’t play with me and then it came down to substitutions where I and the coaching staff would feel he was tiring somewhat.
“After a long career at Wayne’s level it’s obviously going to be the case when you reach your 30s and the fitness levels are still rising in the Premier League. And it’s about whether you’re comfortable with that.
“Are you going to play every game or are you going to sit on the bench?
“He might have spoken to the new manager [Marco Silva] and he didn’t see him playing on a regular basis, as he would like, so [he is] going to America and having a new experience.
“I had absolutely no trouble with Wayne Rooney whatsoever. As a professional he accepted what we spoke about, occasionally he got frustrated, sometimes when he was substituted. I sometimes think that was with himself rather than me.
“It’s a great move for him.”
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