Wayne Rooney has opened up about his advice to Marcus Rashford, urging the Manchester United forward to leave the club, and expressing his disappointment over the current state of affairs at Old Trafford.
Rashford, 27, has been keen on seeking a “new challenge” and made it clear in December that he wanted to depart United. Despite his agent’s negotiations with AC Milan, a deal has yet to materialize.
Rashford’s preferred move is to Barcelona, but his hefty £325,000-a-week salary presents a significant barrier due to the Catalan club’s financial struggles.
What’s more troubling is that Rashford hasn’t played in United’s last 11 matches. Rooney revealed that during a recent visit to Carrington, Rashford was seen training alone with a fitness coach, far from the main group.
“It was embarrassing,” said Rooney, recalling how parents walking past the training session could see the England forward isolated.
Rooney, who knows Rashford well, described the situation as “really sad” and explained that he had spoken with Rashford multiple times, telling him that a fresh start away from Manchester United was the best solution. “Whatever is going on at United, he’s not the same player anymore,” Rooney added.
Meanwhile, Roy Keane has weighed in on the issue, expressing frustration over the reports that Rashford is not training to the required standard.
Keane emphasized that a player should continue to give their best, regardless of their future at the club. He also questioned why the manager would publicly address issues with a player’s attitude.
Rooney echoed Keane’s sentiment, recalling his own experience when he requested to leave United years ago. Despite wanting a move, Rooney continued to train hard every day. He emphasized that Rashford should show the right attitude, not just for his current club but also to prepare for any future moves.
For Rooney, it’s a deeply frustrating and sad situation, but he believes the only way forward for Rashford is to find a new environment where he can thrive once again.