Wayne Rooney eyes double Manchester United transfer after Derby County claims

Former Derby County manager Wayne Rooney reportedly wants to reunite with Manchester United defender Phil Jones at D.C. United after previously failing in an attempt to bring the player to Pride Park.

The 30-year-old was first linked with a move to Derby way back in November 2020, ahead of the January transfer window and before Rooney had even become the club's interim manager. Rumours continued throughout the remainder of that year and into 2021, with the links last being reported in early November last year.

Early on in his interim tenure, Rooney was even asked about the transfer talk. "Phil Jones is a Manchester United player, and it is not my job to really speak on him," was his reply when asked whether Jones was a player he was keen to bring to the club.

Reports linking the former teammates with teaming up in Washington D.C. have now come to light in the aftermath of Rooney returning Stateside. The Daily Star is reporting that the D.C. boss is again targeting the former England international. One-time Derby loanee Jesse Lingard is another that the former Rams manager is reportedly 'chasing' on a free transfer.

How Derby would have ever navigated coming close to covering Jones' £120,000-a-week wages is another question in itself. Even the Major League Soccer side are said to need the majority of that salary to be subsidised by Man United for a loan move to be made for Rooney's good friend.