Where a player decides to finish their career is an important step in determining their post-playing days future. Recently, the MLS and Saudi Pro League have become the two premier leagues for aging stars.
Manchester United players are often some of the most attractive additions to the leagues, considering the global reach of the club and the quality of the footballers. As an American, it’s special to witness former Reds grace Major League Soccer after their European careers.
Below is a list of each Manchester United player who has starred in the United States, either in the MLS or a prior top-level American league.
George Best
The only player on this list to play in the NASL, George Best, played over 120 times in the United States from 1976-1981.
With options limited due to unreliability and off-field issues, Best moved to the United States in 1976 to play for the Los Angeles Aztecs. He was successful in LA, scoring 27 times in 55 matches while being named the NASL’s Best Midfielder in his second season.
After his time in LA, Best was traded to Fort Lauderdale, where he struggled with suspension and injury. In his lone season in Florida, the 33-year-old scored four goals and assisted seven.
The final team George Best played for in the United States was the San Jose Earthquakes, where he notched 21 goals in 56 games. Stops at Bournemouth and Brisbane followed San Jose, but Best’s last meaningful action came in the NASL.
David Beckham
The most impactful signing in MLS history, David Beckham, moved to the LA Galaxy in 2007. He stayed in Los Angeles for each of his five and a half seasons.
On the field, Beckham was a star. He played 124 times for the Galaxy, scoring 20 times and adding 42 assists. Beckham was named an MLS All-Star three times, made the league’s Best Eleven in 2011, and was also named the Comeback Player of the Year in 2011. However, it was Beckham’s overall impact that meant the most to the league.
David Beckham paved the way for other stars to move to the MLS later in their career. Thierry Henry, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, and even Lionel Messi may never have graced the pitch in the MLS without Beckham. The league now has 29 teams, up from 13 in 2007, with San Diego FC joining in 2025 for an even 30.
Beckham did not stop at just playing in the US, as he also owns the recent expansion club Inter Miami, which employs Barcelona greats Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. The Manchester United icon recently hired Javier Mascherano to take over as manager for next season.
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney played his last match as a Manchester United player in 2017. After a one-year stint with his boyhood club, Everton, the England legend moved to the United States to play for DC United.
Rooney was a solid contributor for DC in two seasons, with 25 goals in all competitions. He helped his side to two MLS Cup Playoff berths, though the former England international failed to score in either match and his team crashed out both times.
Not only did Rooney play at DC United, but he also managed the Black-and-Red Eagles from July 2022 to October 2023.
Rooney is the current manager of Plymouth Argyle in the English Championship.
Nani
Nani played three seasons in MLS for Orlando City from 2019-2021.
In his time with the Lions, Nani featured 88 times in all competitions, scoring 31 times. He led Orlando to the MLS is Back Cup final in 2020, but his side fell short despite an assist from the captain.
Nani thoroughly enjoyed his spell at Orlando City. When he announced his departure from the club, he said: “Orlando is a city I can call home, with great people and fantastic supporters, but my contract has ended and there was a decision by the club not to extend it,” Nani wrote on social media. “It was an honor captaining the club for its first-ever playoff appearances and reaching the final of the MLS is Back Tournament.
“I shall never forget how the fans and community supported me and my family ever since the moment we arrived in Florida. You will have in me a friend and a fan for the future. I wish you all the best.”
The former Portuguese international still plays at 38 years old in Liga NOS for CF Estrela Amadora.
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Bastian Schweinsteiger’s time at Manchester United concluded in 2017, marking the beginning of his MLS career. The former World Cup winner played three seasons with the Chicago Fire before retiring in 2019.
Bastian Schweinsteiger played 85 matches in the MLS regular season, scoring eight goals and providing ten assists. He was a two-time MLS All-Star and captained the All-Star team that faced Real Madrid in 2019. Additionally, he played a key role in helping the Chicago Fire return to the playoffs for the first time in four years in 2017.
Basti is still an avid supporter of the Reds, often posting encouraging messages ahead of important matches and derbies.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
One of the most iconic personalities to ever play the sport, Zlatan Ibrahimovic arrived in Los Angeles in 2018.
The Swedish striker was a hit from the start. His first appearance came in “El Trafíco,” the derby between the LA Galaxy and LAFC. Zlatan came on as a substitute with the Galaxy trailing 3-1 in the 71st minute. Chris Pontius pulled one back for LA before Zlatan took over. The 36-year-old Swede stunned the crowd with a 40-yard strike off a bouncing ball that sped over the head of the goalkeeper (see here). Fourteen minutes later in stoppage time, he glanced in the winner to provide three points for his new side. The rest was history.
Zlatan played two seasons in LA, scoring 53 times before moving back to AC Milan in the 2020 January transfer window.
After returning to Italy, Zlatan criticized the pay-to-play model of the United States in a GQ Italia interview saying, “And it must be said that sport is expensive, very expensive for them. For example: to have my children play in a good football team for a league I have to pay 3,500 dollars each. It’s not for the figure but for the concept. All sports are paid. And since parents pay, they want to see their children play even when they are not good. I’m very sorry because not everyone has the necessary money and instead sport must be for everyone, because it unites races and peoples. Pelé became a champion with nothing, he played with a ball of rags… Football is the most beautiful sport in the world.”
Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez
Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez was a legendary super sub at Manchester United. After bouncing around Europe for a few years, the Mexican striker found a home at LA Galaxy in 2020.
Chicharito played in parts of four MLS seasons, scoring 39 goals in 82 appearances. He was selected for the MLS All-Star team once, a match that gave the American league bragging rights over its Mexican counterpart.
Now 36, Chicharito plays for his boyhood club, Chivas, in Liga MX.
Tim Howard
One of the only Americans to don the red of Manchester, Tim Howard returned to the MLS in 2016 from long-time club Everton.
Howard featured 110 times for the Colorado Rapids, securing 23 clean sheets.
Previously, the American icon had started his career with the MetroStars (now the New York Red Bulls.) It was his play there that led him to Old Trafford.
A true legend of American soccer, Tim Howard was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in the 2024 class.
Former Reds have made an important and lasting impact on Major League Soccer over the years. Who will be the next to join the growing league?
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