Man Utd icon ‘trying everything’ to keep Nottingham Forest star ‘wanted’ by Sheffield United

Wayne Rooney has admitted DC United are ‘trying everything’ to keep Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien with the MLS club amid reported interest from Sheffield United.

The ex-Manchester United star signed the 24-year-old on loan in March after he had been left out of Forest’s squad for the second half of the Premier League season.

The City Ground club signed a vast number of players during the summer and winter transfer windows, with O’Brien joining the club last year before being deemed surplus to requirements after Forest’s January business.

He had played 17 times in the first half of the season but with the news he would not be included in the playing squad for the the rest of the campaign, he explored a move away from the club.

A loan move to Blackburn Rovers fell through after paperwork was not submitted on time. The Lancashire club appealed that decision but the EFL knocked back their motion leaving O’Brien with the prospect of playing no football for six months.

However, in March he was handed a lifeline by Rooney as he made the move to the MLS on a deal which is set to expire this month.

The Mirror has credited Sheffield United with an interest in the former Huddersfield Town player who was previously targeted by Leeds United during Marcelo Bielsa’s time with the club.

Speaking to the Washington Post, Rooney said of DC United’s desire to keep the player: “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.”

As things stand, the Blades are yet to bolster their squad ahead of the Premier League campaign. They welcome Crystal Palace to the Bramall Lane for their opening game of the season on August 12.

O’Brien has played 15 times in the MLS since joining DC United, providing one goal and one assist. He made 131 appearances for Huddersfield Town and was a key part of the Terriers side which reached the Championship play-off final in 2021.

He spent the 2018-19 season on loan at Bradford City before breaking into the Huddersfield senior side.