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It's believed Wayne Rooney is eager to join a host of ex-Premier League players by playing for Sunday league side Wythenshawe Vets, who recently gained viral fame.
Former Manchester United star Rooney, who hasn't played professionally since 2021, has transitioned into management after ending his illustrious playing career. Despite being let go by Plymouth less than a year ago, he's said to be keen on dusting off his boots once more for Wythenshawe Vets and play alongside a Liverpool icon.
The Evertonian, considered one of the finest Premier League players of his generation, would be a fantastic addition to a team that already boasts the likes of Stephen Ireland, Papiss Cisse, and Joleon Lescott. This star-studded group of over-35 ex-pros recently thrashed South Liverpool 13-0, maintaining their unbeaten start to the season.
With their impressive roster and growing popularity, Rooney is interested in joining them, according to the Daily Mail.
In recent years, he has returned to the pitch for charity matches and legends games. Earlier this year, he scored Soccer Aid's fastest-ever goal, beating Edwin van der Sar within the first four minutes.
Ireland, formerly of Manchester City and Aston Villa, has spoken about the enthusiasm for people wanting to get involved: "My phone hasn't stopped! I've got people going, 'how do I get involved, how do I sign up?'
"I just want to be wary of not bringing too many people, because I want it to be a mix of the proper old vets with maybe four or five pros each time. But it is great fun, even as an incentive during the week to prepare for it. That's what it's like now."
Former Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa has featured in the back line, while ex-Burnley midfielder George Boyd has also taken part.
Last month, Lescott bagged a hat-trick, Oumar Niasse featured at wing-back, and Emile Heskey is among those to have turned out for the Vets side.
That means Rooney could form a strike partnership with Heskey, a Liverpool cult hero.
It is understood that UFC icon Conor McGregor is attempting to arrange a fixture with Wythenshawe in Dublin next month, highlighting the team's enormous profile.
Cisse has featured twice for the side and netted all six goals in a 6-2 victory over reigning champions Collegiate Old Boys.
The arrival of former top-flight talent has certainly altered the dynamic for manager Kieran Megran, who joked about how straightforward coaching such a group has become.
He said: "It is surreal. I was watching some of these when I was growing up, but yeah, it has made me job a lot easier, I've got to admit!"
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