Wayne Rooney reveals why he axed Ravel Morrison from DC United squad

Wayne Rooney has explained his decision to omit Ravel Morrison from his DC United squad.

On Sunday, Rooney’s side started the new Major League Soccer season with a stunning comeback win against Toronto FC.

Former Liverpool man Christian Benteke scored in the 90th minute to make it 2-2 before Theodore Ku-DiPietro made it 3-2 right at the death.

However, one of the major talking points was the fact that Morrison was nowhere to be seen, with reports suggesting that Rooney has axed him from the squad, just seven months after signing.

The DC boss has now explained his decision, stating that he has enough midfielders at his disposal.

Rooney said: “I felt with players we were bringing in and different things you need to look at in terms of the budget, international slots, et cetera.

“It was more important I got different players in for different positions, which we felt were more important to me.”

Rooney knows the 30-year-old well as they spent time together at Manchester United whilst Morrison was trying to break through to the first team.

The promising talent ended up making only three appearances for his boyhood club before moving to West Ham United in 2012.

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He showed flashes of what he was capable of during his time with the Hammers but his spell with the London club ended after he signed a pre-contract with Serie A side Lazio.

Morrison’s time in Italy did not work out, spells with the likes of QPR, Ostersund, Sheffield United and Middlesbrough followed.

Morrison was reunited with Rooney at Derby and was lured to the US in 2022 to play under his former United teammate.

Despite being axed from the squad, Morrison will continue to train with the team as he is contracted at the club until the end of the year. DC have the option to extend his contract for one more year but the likelihood of that happening is very slim.