Nottingham Forest-owned midfielder Lewis O’Brien has raved about Wayne Rooney after his D.C. United debut. The Manchester United legend landed the Forest midfielder on loan for the remainder of the MLS campaign back in March.
O’Brien was surprisingly allowed to leave Forest. He endured a rough two months after a move to Blackburn on transfer deadline day fell through. Rovers submitted the incorrect paperwork to complete the deal and Forest omitted him from their 25-man squad.
That saw O’Brien in relative limbo until Rooney came calling. The man signed from Huddersfield in the summer for £10 million jumped at the chance to head to the MLS and he will remain with D.C. United until the season finishes in July.
He made his debut for his new club on Saturday night as they were beaten 2-0 by Columbus Crew. Still, O’Brien is thankful that Rooney came calling and he hopes he can repay his new gaffer, praising him during an interview.
He told D.C. United’s official website: “It’s massive, if you look back at my career I’ve played against him a few times as well. We’ve had a few jokes about it. I know people that he’s managed previously back at Derby and stuff and it’s a perfect opportunity for me. He played in a similar position that I play in and I think he’s going to make everyone he coaches a much better footballer.
O’Brien has raved about Wayne Rooney
Clearly, the Forest man is excited to be learning from Rooney. The head coach is set for a bright career in management and this is the next step of his journey.
Signing O’Brien from a Premier League side is a coup for Rooney. The midfielder is in the early stages of his career and he has bags of unearthed potential.
Forest dropped the ball massively by letting O’Brien go. Instead, they signed and registered Jonjo Shelvey and already that signing looks like nothing other than a complete disaster.
Hopefully, O’Brien can return to Forest in the summer. If the club drops down to the Championship, he should be one of the best midfielders in the division and Steve Cooper would surely welcome him back.