MLS hit back at Wayne Rooney's Apple claims in blunt statement

20 July 2023 , 14:15

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Wayne Rooney did not enjoy his experience as MLS All-Stars manager. (Image: Vanessa Carvalho/REX/Shutterstock)

Major League Soccer has hit back at Wayne Rooney's comments after a miserable experience for the Manchester United legend managing the MLS All-Stars in a 5-0 defeat against Arsenal on Wednesday.

DC United boss Rooney was selected to manage the team against Mikel Arteta's side at Audi Field, but he said afterwards he took "absolutely nothing" positive out of the experience.

And his frustration was compounded with the 37-year-old claiming staff from Apple, which owns the MLS broadcast rights, ejected his support staff from their seats pitchside. The league, however, said Rooney's claim was untrue in a blunt statement.

"It is not true that any members of Apple's staff were seated in the technical area during last night's Major League Soccer All-Star Game," a league spokesman said.

Goals from Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Jorginho, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli made it a night to forget for MLS' best players, who were cobbled together with little time to train and they were duly outclassed by last season's Premier League runners-up.

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After the game, Rooney made clear he welcomed Apple's investment into MLS – which paved the way for Inter Miami to sign Lionel Messi – but he was angry with what he thought happened on Wednesday.

"I think everything about the game is great publicity for the league. Moving forward, Apple coming into the league has been great," he said in his post-game press conference.

Wayne Rooney went up against Mikel Arteta in the MLS All-Star Game. (BASTIEN INZAURRALDE/AFP via Getty Images)

"Although they didn't allow my staff to sit in the seats, my staff got kicked out of their seats by members of Apple. I wouldn't be doing my staff service if I didn't bring that up because if you're getting asked to do the game, and they're your staff, you'll expect your staff to have seats to sit in.

"That was very disappointing. But I do think Apple will help the league grow moving forward."

Rooney believes his experience in Major League Soccer over the past 12 months has taught him plenty as he continues his coaching journey after a chaotic stint in charge of Derby County in the midst of their administration crisis in 2021/22.

But Wednesday night and the All-Star Game were not worthwhile for the former England captain, who lamented the experience.

"It's difficult," he added. "On Monday all the players arrived and we had a small-sided game. On Tuesday, as I suggested, I didn't want them training at the National Mall, but that's where we trained and we can't do anything but head tennis.

"So we had no time of training whatsoever so you put the players out there and hope the figure things out. And against a team like Arsenal that's a very hard thing to do."

Sam Frost