Rooney highlights Rashford issue at Manchester United

Wayne Rooney believes Marcus Rashford still has the ability to re-establish himself as one of Manchester United’s most important players, but the former club great has also identified a significant concern around the forward’s conduct on the pitch and his responses in difficult moments.

Rooney sees quality still there

Even in criticism, Rooney’s view carries a clear message of belief. He does not appear to question Rashford’s talent or his capacity to influence games for Manchester United. Instead, the focus is on whether the England forward can channel that quality in the right way and become a central figure again.

That distinction matters. Rashford is not being written off in Rooney’s assessment. Rather, he is being challenged to show the mentality and consistency required to lead at a club where scrutiny is constant and expectations are unusually high.

The concern is behaviour in adversity

The central issue raised by Rooney is Rashford’s behaviour on the field, particularly how he reacts when matches become difficult. For a player operating at the top level, those moments often shape how performances are judged just as much as technical ability.

When pressure rises at Manchester United, body language and decision-making inevitably come under the spotlight. Rooney’s criticism suggests that, in his view, Rashford must handle those spells better if he is to return to the level expected of one of the team’s leading players.

A familiar challenge at Old Trafford

At a club of Manchester United’s stature, talented players are regularly judged on more than flashes of quality. They are expected to respond positively to setbacks, maintain standards and set an example when games turn against them.

That is the standard Rooney is pointing to. His comments frame Rashford’s situation not as a question of whether he belongs at the highest level, but whether he can make the adjustments needed to thrive there again.

Rashford’s next step

For Rashford, the message is straightforward: the ability remains, but improvement is needed in the less glamorous side of elite performance. If he can sharpen his reactions in difficult moments and show the right attitude on the pitch, Rooney believes there is still a path back to being one of Manchester United’s defining players.

• Wayne Rooney believes Marcus Rashford still has enough quality.
• Rooney thinks Rashford can again become one of Manchester United’s key figures.
• The main criticism concerns Rashford’s behaviour on the pitch.
• Rooney also highlighted Rashford’s reactions in difficult moments.