Wayne Rooney has expressed his desire to keep Lewis O'Brien on loan at DC United amid interest in his services from Premier League newcomers Sheffield United.
The 36-year-old former Old Trafford hero brought in the forward from Nottingham Forest on a loan in March after he was deemed surplus to requirements at the City Ground. The 24-year-old had been frozen out by Steve Cooper after making 13 appearances in the first half of last season and was not included in the Reds' squad for the rest of the campaign.
A loan switch to Blackburn Rovers had appeared to be on the cards but this fell through due to a paperwork issue, meaning the former Huddersfield Town ace was left in limbo. However, a move to MLS came two months later with the starlet having signed with Black-and-Red until mid-July.
After 13 outings and one goal for his temporary employers in the US, Rooney is eager to retain the player's services for the second half of the season. Speaking to the Washington Post, he said: "We're still in conversations. It's a difficult situation because it's not in our hands. We're trying everything we can to try to keep him."
The Liverpool-born football legend may be left frustrated in his quest to keep O'Brien beyond this summer, however, with newly-promoted Premier League outfit Sheffield United also keeping tabs on the his availability. According to Yorkshire Live, the Blades' head of recruitment Paul Mitchell also has designs on securing his services.
With Paul Heckingbottom having masterminded the Yorkshire club's return to England's top tier as well as a run to the semi-finals of the FA Cup, they will be aiming to avoid relegation next term. As it stands, no new additions have been brought to Bramall Lane so far this summer.
The former Everton forward previously denied speculation that he would attempt to bring ex-Manchester United teammate Jesse Lingard to Audi Field. The 30-year-old attacking midfielder was released at the end of last season after Nottingham Forest decided against renewing his contract.
Despite this, the legendary former England captain has largely been resolute in his desire to potentially make some new additions this summer after the MLS transfer window opened. Hinting that he may have to be creative when it comes to bringing in reinforcements and look to free up funds wherever possible.
He said: “We are obviously looking, there is a few players we have identified who we will work hard to try and bring in and there is things we can move round to try and do that. We have to be at our best, work at our best and we have to find the best way to free money up to bring players in.”
The 120-time England international has guided D.C. United to eighth place in the MLS Eastern Conference standings after 20 rounds of fixtures so far this term. Currently sat in a playoff spot, this position would be a rank improvement on last season's showing, with the franchise having finished in a lowly 14th place last term.
