Wayne Rooney has challenged Marcus Rashford’s suggestion that Manchester United’s turbulent environment was responsible for the forward’s inconsistent form during his decade at Old Trafford.
Rashford, now on loan at Barcelona, recently told ITV that constant managerial changes had disrupted his development, claiming the instability made it difficult to maintain top-level performances.
Since his debut in 2016, the England striker has played under eight different United managers, from Louis van Gaal to Ruben Amorim.
“I feel like I have been in an inconsistent environment for a very long time, so it is even more difficult to be consistent,” Rashford said.
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“But I completely agree, consistency is what I need to bring into my game. I want to be at my best not sometimes, but as often as possible.”
The 27-year-old endured a difficult final spell in Manchester, falling out of favour under Amorim and making just six appearances before joining Aston Villa on loan last season.
His summer move to Barcelona followed, again on a temporary basis, as he sought a fresh start abroad.
Wayne Rooney has challenged Marcus Rashford’s suggestion that Manchester United’s turbulent environment was responsible for the forward’s inconsistent form during his decade at Old Trafford
|PA
Rooney, who captained Rashford during the early stages of his United career, acknowledged that the club’s instability had been a challenge but insisted that players must take personal responsibility for their form.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show podcast, he said Rashford’s criticism only told part of the story.
“I think the environment hasn’t been right, but that is down to yourself,” Rooney said.
Wayne Rooney and Marcus Rashford were teammates for three years at Manchester United
|PA
“If you are not playing well or you get left out of the team, it’s easier to blame the environment. Whether that’s right or wrong, it comes down to how you apply yourself.
“In games, we have seen him where we know he can do more, we know he can run more — that has nothing to do with the environment.
“I might be wrong, I really like Marcus as a lad and as a person, but I think that’s an easy one to throw at people.”
Rashford left United with an impressive record of 138 Premier League goals in more than 400 appearances, earning widespread praise for his contributions both on and off the pitch.
Yet his form fluctuated sharply in recent seasons, and his relationship with the club appeared to strain amid questions over motivation and consistency.
Rashford appeared to have turned a corner when he scored 30 goals across all competitions under Erik ten Hag in the 2022/23 season.
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The forward flourished following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, firing the fallen giants to Carabao Cup glory and third in the Premier League table.
However, the following season, Rashford's form regressed.
The winger managed to find the net just eight times, despite playing in 43 matches.
There was also controversy when Rashford was filmed on a night out in Belfast, with Ten Hag later punishing him for his actions.
He's started well at Barcelona, however, scoring three goals from 10 appearances and clocking up five assists along the way.
Rashford's form has earned him an England recall, with the 27-year-old recently featuring for his country in matches with Wales and Latvia.