New DC United manager Wayne Rooney is reportedly keen to explore the idea of bringing his former Manchester United teammate Phil Jones to the MLS outfit.
Rooney was recently confirmed as DC United's new head coach, with Man United's record goalscorer taking charge of the club after leaving his role at Derby County.
According to The Sun, Rooney has identified Jones as a target this summer, with the 30-year-old potentially leaving the 20-time English champions in the current market.
The report claims that Rooney tried to sign Jones on loan for Derby last term and is hoping to tempt the player to North America with the promise of being a key player for the club.
Jones has been with the Red Devils since 2011, featuring on 229 occasions in all competitions, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, Community Shield and Europa League during his time at the club.
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The defender spent almost two years on the sidelines with a knee injury between January 2020 and January 2022, though, which has seen his career stall.
Jones did make five appearances for the Red Devils last season, including four outings in the Premier League, and he moved ahead of Eric Bailly in the pecking order under interim head coach Ralf Rangnick.
However, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire are all ahead of him, while Lisandro Martinez's arrival from Ajax has also now been confirmed.
Jones's most productive season at Old Trafford came in 2011-12, when he featured on 41 occasions in all competitions, but he has found it difficult to live up to his early potential.
The Englishman still has another 12 months left to run on his contract at Old Trafford, with the option of a further 12 months.
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DC United are currently bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference, having picked up just 18 points from their opening 19 matches of the campaign.
Rooney represented the North American club as a player between 2018 and 2020, scoring 25 goals and registering 14 assists in 52 appearances in all competitions.
"Any major decisions I make like this are discussed with my wife. My family will, for the time being, stay in England and come over and visit," Rooney said after being confirmed as the club's new head coach.
"There were a few other clubs - both in England and in Europe - who got in touch. My plan really was to, after Derby County, take a bit of a break and then see what comes up. Once my agent called and said DC had come in, it was quite quick really - probably within 24 hours.
"I feel the experience I've gained at Derby County over the past 18 months has been great for my development as a coach, as a manager. To come here back to the MLS, back to DC United, was an exciting challenge for me - something which I feel can develop me as a coach."
DC United already have one Englishman in their first-team squad, Kimarni Smith, who was a youngster at Sheffield United.
Matt Law
