Minnesota United coach Adrian Heath has hailed the impact made by Wayne Rooney at DC United.

Everton title winner Heath says Manchester United icon Rooney has been English football's best export to America – and he's fast-tracked the global growth of the MLS.

“Wayne has left his mark on the MLS and is going to be missed when he leaves America and that's testimony to the way he's performed," Heath told the Mirror.

“People here hoping Rooney was coming for the right reasons and that was quickly evident. He was all-in right from the start.

“If players think they come here in their mid-30s and have a holiday forget it - those days have gone. The MLS is too athletic and there are too many good players.

“We've all seen Wayne lose his rag and run 60 yards to make a tackle. With the reputation he had coming to the MLS people would have been okay without him not doing that now. They didn't expect it.

“But we've had the real Wayne Rooney. When he chased back against Orlando to prevent a certain goal, winning the tackle then setting up Argentinian Luciano Acosta for the winner that said everything.

“My players know guys at DC and they all love Rooney. His character and work ethic have made him hugely popular.

“He's completely revived DC from the moment he came and now they are in the play-offs like us."