29 June 2023 , 12:41
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Wayne Rooney has showed what he thinks of a rumoured Manchester United target after personally including him in his MLS All-Star squad.
The former Old Trafford hero will take charge of the ensemble cast of the best MLS performers in the showpiece exhibition match against Arsenal. The former England captain is now the head coach of D.C. United and will lead out the team at the franchise's Audi Field home on July 19.
The 37-year-old was tasked with picking 12 of the names in the squad for the clash versus the Gunners, with 12 more chosen by fans, players and the media and another two added by MLS commissioner Don Garber. Among the players selected by Rooney was the New England Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
The Serbian international has experienced a whirlwind rise stateside, with his inclusion for the match against Mikel Arteta's team a major vote of endorsement from the former Everton forward. The 23-year-old stopper arrived in the US as something of an unknown quantity just over a year ago but went on to keep six clean sheets in his first 16 outings in MLS.
On top of this, he was named his club's MVP for last season, while also being named runner-up in the MLS Best Goalkeeper vote in his maiden campaign with the Revs. He has carried on this impressive form this term also, keeping six clean sheets from 18 appearances this season so far.
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With his performances earning rave reviews in the US, his sterling efforts have not gone unnoticed in Europe either with Premier League giants Manchester United having been linked with a move for the two-time international in recent weeks. According to the Manchester Evening News, the Red Devils see him as a possible solution to their issues in the goalkeeper position at present.
With long-term stalwart David de Gea still to put pen to paper on a new contract, he is set to depart the club at the end of June, while back-up option Jack Butland has already departed for Scottish giants Rangers. In addition, fellow understudy Tom Heaton could well move on this summer in search of more game time.
FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 1: Djordje Petrovic #99 of New England Revolution makes a save during a game between Atlanta United FC and New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on October 1, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos/Getty Images). (Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos/Getty Images)Petrovic has attracted plaudits from his peers for his showings since swapping his homeland for MLS last year, with the man he replaced even chipping in with praise. Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner turned out for New England Revolution before his switch to North London and the USMNT star has been impressed with his successor's maturity and consistency.
He previously said: “What I’ve seen from him is that he’s really talented. He’s way more talented than I was at his age, you know? He’s taller than me. He’s athletic.”
"But you know, he’s got things that he’s going to have to work on if he wants to be a consistent player for this team, as we all do. So, I think that for him, [if] he works on a few small details in his game, he’s going to be a really good player for this organization."