Rooney reveals what Rashford is like behind the scenes and slams Man Utd team-mates for failing to ‘fire him up’
WAYNE ROONEY provided an insight into what Marcus Rashford is like behind-the-scenes as he revealed what Manchester United need to do to get the best out of him.
The England international forward produced a stunning campaign last term as he fired in 30 goals for the Red Devils under Erik ten Hag.
Wayne Rooney dished out some advice to Marcus Rashford while working for BBC last nightBBC
APThe forward drew another blank as Man Utd won at Nottingham Forest[/caption]
That landed him a bumper new contract worth around £325,000-a-week but since that his form has nosedived.
Rashford has scored just five times this season as well as landing himself in trouble last month after his controversial night out in Belfast led to him missing training and being fined.
He and Ten Hag are believed to be barely speaking after that incident but the star was still picked in attack last night as he drew another blank.
Casemiro’s late header earned United a 1-0 FA Cup win at Nottingham Forest, with the club’s all-time top scorer Rooney working at the game as a pundit for BBC Sport.
Rooney, who played alongside the 26-year-old for two seasons until 2017 at Old Trafford, discussed Rashford’s dire form afterwards.
He said: “He’s a player who’s come through, he’s got a massive amount of potential and already shown a lot of that, but I think for different reasons he’s found this season difficult.
“We’ve obviously seen stuff in the headlines. But for Marcus the main focus is get your head down and more importantly work hard, I think that’s what everyone wants to see.
“His ability will get him the goals, we want to see Marcus enjoying his football but also working hard, work for the team, that’s what everyone wants to see.”
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Rooney added: “Confidence is the main factor, he hasn’t been scoring regularly this season and he maybe needs to simplify his game to get back in the groove.
“He’s not the most vocal lad. His body language doesn’t look great at times but he’s not like that. The senior players need to get more out of him and get him fired up.”
The Premier League’s all-time top scorer Alan Shearer was also working for BBC on commentary duty.
And the Newcastle legend did not hold back with his scathing assessment after Rashford went to ground midway through the first half.
Shearer said: “Come on Marcus, get up. Stop waving your arms around. You’ve got to do better.
“I don’t like his body language at times. He’s trying to send a message out to the fans, it’s not my fault.
“You as an individual have to take responsibility now and again for your actions on the pitch. Get up and get on with it.
“Marcus Rashford still has to send out the correct message to the fans with his body language and at times this season he hasn’t done that. He is getting frustrated.”
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AFPRooney and Rashford spent two years as team-mates at Old Trafford[/caption]
