04 October 2023 , 15:08
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Former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer jetted into the US ahead of a trip to D.C. United's training base as Wayne Rooney's contract stand-off continues to rumble on.
The Norwegian coach has been out of work since his sacking at Old Trafford back in November 2021 after two years at the helm, including as caretaker. His trip stateside came as Rooney was preparing his team for their upcoming match against MLS rivals Austin FC.
Of course, the former forward pair spent time together during their playing careers with the Red Devils, with Rooney having signed from Everton in 2004. Solskjaer, who had already secured legendary status at the club by this point, would win the Premier League with the boy wonder in 2007, before retiring.
It is understood that the former United manager's arrival in America was expected, with the trip having been arranged previously In a previous conversation with the Athletic, the former Manchester United manager confirmed that he would be travelling to the east coast of the US.
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He revealed that he would be making the trip to see former club teammates Rooney and David Beckham, while potentially catching some games. DCU are currently in the midst of a battle to make the post-season, with all eyes on securing a qualification spot at the expense of Lionel Messi's Inter Miami.
Solskjaer may be able to empathise with Rooney, who is facing some uncertainty over his post as his contract runs down. As it stands, the former England captain could leave Audi Field at the end of the year, with his contract set to expire with the club in December.
According to the Athletic, Solskjaer did not arrive at the team's training base in Leesburg, Virginia to talk about potentially taking over from his ex-teammate. In fact, the report contends that the former Molde boss is not a candidate to replace Rooney, or take the vacant general manager vacancy post at the club.
Wayne Rooney and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played together at Manchester UnitedRooney has previously spoken at length of his frustrations surrounding the uncertainty hanging over his future with the MLS outfit. Speaking a couple of months ago to the Washington Post, he said: "I am slightly disappointed and frustrated there has been no contact for two months.
"We asked about a new deal. We can sit down and talk about it - we haven’t heard back. Either way, I can take whatever the situation is. I was hoping we would have, either way, at least spoken about it, that hasn’t been the case.
“We asked to sit down and speak, because planning for next season needs to go ahead. So we asked two months ago where everything was at, are we moving forward or not moving forward — if that’s the case from their point of view — and we haven’t heard back."