Wayne Rooney gives debut to 15-year-old Matai Akinmboni and makes DC United kid third-youngest player in MLS history
WAYNE ROONEY is putting his faith in youth at DC United.
That’s after handing a debut to a 15-year-old last night.
Matai Akinmboni became the third-youngest player in MLS history when Rooney started him against Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
The teenage defender caught the eye of his new boss earlier this summer.
And he was rewarded with a historic run-out in yesterday’s 0-0 draw.
Rooney is no stranger to young debuts, having been just 16 when he made his first senior appearance at Everton in 2002.
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And Akinmboni is sure to have a bright future with DC United, having previously been on trial at Bayern Munich.
But despite his tender age of 15 years and 328 days, there have been two younger players to feature in the American top flight.
Second-youngest is Alphonso Davies, now at Bayern, who was 15 years and 327 days old when he made his debut for Vancouver – just one day less than Akinmboni.
Meanwhile, the youngest player in MLS history was also a DC United starlet – the iconic Freddy Adu, who was incredibly just 14 years and 334 days old.
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Rooney will certainly be hoping the introduction of Akinmboni can improve his side’s fortunes.
DC United are rooted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference with just four games left this season.
It took Rooney five matches to record a win after taking charge on July 12.
After that, he then went six games without victory before beating New York City FC at the start of September.
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United have since followed that up with two goalless draws.
And they will be hoping to return to winning ways against Sporting Kansas City after signing the likes of Christian Benteke and Ravel Morrison over the summer.