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Wayne Rooney tells Man Utd star to 'knuckle down' and get 'my goalscoring record'

Man Utd and England legend Wayne Rooney has called for retuning forward Marcus Rashford to "knuckle down" and says he is the only player who could currently beat his all-time goalscoring record at the club

[Wayne Rooney]

Wayne Rooney has told a current Man Utd star to 'knuckle down'(Image: Anthony Bibard/FEP/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

England legend Wayne Rooney has picked a current Man Utd star he claims is the only player capable of beating his all-time Manchester United goalscoring record - but only if he shows the right desire.

Rashfords United career looks set for a second act this season after Barcelona failed to turn last terms loan move into a permanent deal and the England international has played a part in Michael Carricks pre-season preparations.

The 28-year-old had designs on life away from Old Trafford, with a loan at Aston Villa in 2025, and Rooney says he has work to do to make a go of things second time around.

[WROCLAW, POLAND - 2026/08/15: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United seen during Super Match 2026 football match between Manchester United and AC Milan at Tarczynski Arena (Wroclaw). FInal Score; Manchester United 2:4 AC Milan. (Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)]

Marcus Rashford could break Rooney's goalscoring record, the former Man Utd star believes (Image: 2026 SOPA Images)

Its just such a strange one with Marcus because I think we know hes got the ability. I think hes shown that, Rooney, who scored a record 253 goals for the Red Devils, said on his new podcast Stick to United.

For me, has he got the hunger, does he want to play for Manchester United? Now, if he wants to play for Manchester United, I think the first thing he has to do Ive been there in 2010 when I asked to leave the football club he has to build a relationship with the fans.

And the easiest way to do that is to work hard and body language. I think Marcus body language isnt 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.

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 hes a young lad. Hes from Manchester. Hes the one player who can go and get my goalscoring record.

[Wayne Rooney and Marcus Rashford]

Rooney has given Rashford some advice(Image: Getty Images)

Rashford, who sits 15th on Uniteds all-time goalscoring list with 138 goals, last played for the club in December 2024 after falling out of favour under then-boss Ruben Amorim, heading for temporary spells at Villa Park and the Nou Camp.

I dont 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 he has to just get his head down, work his socks off, and then be more positive.

But its on him. If hes back playing for Manchester United, I think he has to have a real close look at whos round him.

Only he can say who the people are around him who he really trusts. Because theres not many people you trust really. Itd be a small amount of people, keep them close to him, go into training, work hard, get himself right. If he does that, hell be fine.

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