LA Galaxy have been warned not to sign Wayne Rooney by a former player and general manager who says the England captain would be 'stealing money' in America.

The MLS side, who famously signed David Beckham and currently have Steven Gerrard on their books, have been linked with making Rooney their latest marquee signing.

However ex-USA international Alexi Lalas has said he does not think the club he previously served as a player and general manager should splash the cash on the benched Manchester United forward.

Wayne Rooney has had a tough season so far and may leave Manchester United soon

Alexi Lalas, who helped sign Beckham for LA Galaxy, says the club should not sign Rooney

ENGLISHMEN IN THE MLS Some of the most notable English players who have played stateside: David Beckham: LA Galaxy (2007-2012) Ashley Cole: LA Galaxy (2016-now) Jermain Defoe: Toronto (2014) Steven Gerrard: LA Galaxy (2014-now) Darren Huckerby: San Jose (2008-09) Frank Lampard: NYCFC (2015-now) Liam Ridgewell: Portland (2014-now) Shaun Wright-Phillips: New York Red Bulls (2015-now) Advertisement

Lalas told the Sun: 'They got little return on the Steven Gerrard investment and does Rooney still have much to give and something which works in the MLS, even if he is five years younger than Gerrard?

'Are you replacing a player who had limited involvement and limited impact, with yet another player who will have limited involvement and limited impact?

'If Rooney, at 31, doesn't still have the things which made him great, then it's problematic.

'Living in Beverly Hills is great. But if you don't couple it with performances on the field then you are just stealing money.

'The player he is now isn't the player of ten years ago - but then no one is.'

Gerrard, 36, has struggled to bring the level of performance to Los Angeles that Liverpool and England supporters were used to seeing for many years, and recently posted cryptic messages on social media suggesting he may leave the club this season.

Rooney meanwhile has been dropped from United's first team and, despite being his country's captain and record goalscorer, may have to leave Old Trafford to seek regular games.