Wayne Rooney is set to make his final England appearance against the United States in a friendly international at Wembley on Thursday.
The 33-year-old said he wanted to finish his career at Manchester United, but believes that he left the club at the right time. Rooney currently plays for US-based DC United in Major League Soccer.
“It was the highlight of my career, playing for Man United and I was there for so long. But it was the right time,” he told MUTV, United's in-house television station.
Rooney's time with Old Trafford saw his win five Premier League titles, the Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and three League Cups. He became Manchester United's leading goalscorer surpassing Bobby Charlton's record (249 goals) for highest all-time goalscorer in 2017.
Rooney joined Manchester United in 2004 from Everton and made 559 appearances for the Red Devils till 2017. But he started a mere seven of the final 19 Premier League appearances of his United career, with Rooney no longer a first-choice player under manager Jose Mourinho.
“Obviously I spoke to the manager (Mourinho) and it didn't look like I was going to play, so it was the right decision and the right time for me to go.
“Obviously, you wish, the ideal situation was staying there and finishing your career there, but football changes. Different things happen and things happen for a reason.”
Rooney left United in 2017 and returned to Everton before making the move to DC United earlier this year.
(With inputs from agencies)
