Wayne Rooney has thrown his backing behind Marcus Rashford, insisting the forward remains the most likely candidate to surpass his all-time Manchester United scoring record, provided he shows the necessary commitment and application.
Rashford looks poised for a fresh chapter at Old Trafford this season after Barcelona decided not to make his loan move permanent. The 28-year-old has since been involved in Michael Carrick's pre-season plans, marking a potential return to the club he once seemed destined to leave for good.
The England international's recent history at United has been turbulent. He fell out of favour under former manager Ruben Amorim and last played for the club in December 2024 before departing on loan spells, first to Aston Villa and then to Barcelona. Despite those exits, Rashford now sits 15th on United's all-time list of goalscorers with 138 goals to his name.
Speaking on his podcast, Stick to United, Rooney - who scored a club-record 253 goals during his time at Old Trafford - acknowledged Rashford's undeniable talent but questioned whether the forward possesses the drive required to fulfil his potential at United.
"It's just such a strange one with Marcus because I think we know he's got the ability. I think he's shown that," Rooney said. "For me, has he got the hunger, does he want to play for Manchester United?"
Drawing on his own experience of requesting a move away from United back in 2010, Rooney stressed that Rashford's first priority should be repairing his standing with supporters. He suggested that visible effort and improved body language on the pitch would go a long way toward achieving that.
"Now, if he wants to play for Manchester United, I think the first thing he has to do – I've been there in 2010 when I asked to leave the football club – he has to build a relationship with the fans," Rooney explained. "And the easiest way to do that is to work hard and body language. I think Marcus' body language isn't great, and so it might be something he has to work on. He might have to work with someone to make his body language look better."
Rooney also called for greater consistency and intensity from Rashford, arguing that improved work rate combined with a positive mindset could unlock the player's best form. "I think his work rate has to improve, but if he wants to be at the football club, he just needs to knuckle down. You do it, and he's a young lad. He's from Manchester. He's the one player who can go and get my goalscoring record," he said.
The former United striker made clear he wants to see Rashford succeed specifically in a United shirt, rather than elsewhere. "I don't want to see Marcus Rashford doing well at Aston Villa or doing well at Barcelona," Rooney added. "I want to see him doing well at Manchester United and scoring goals for Manchester United. But that means he has to just get his head down, work his socks off, and then be more positive."
Rooney concluded by urging Rashford to be selective about his inner circle as he attempts to reestablish himself. "But it's on him. If he's back playing for Manchester United, I think he has to have a real close look at who's round him," he said. "Only he can say who the people are around him who he really trusts. Because there's not many people you trust really. It'd be a small amount of people, keep them close to him, go into training, work hard, get himself right. If he does that, he'll be fine."
Based on reporting from The Independent.