'Maybe he needs to move' - Wayne Rooney reveals why he has little sympathy for Marcus Rashford

Wayne Rooney says he has little sympathy for Marcus Rashford's struggles at Manchester United and even suggested the England forward may have to leave the club to grow as a player.

Rashford has endured a largely disappointing 2023/24 campaign after scoring 30 goals in all competitions last season, notching just his seventh on Saturday from the penalty spot as the Red Devils beat Everton 2-0 at Old Trafford.

Rooney previously dealt with a high level of scrutiny during his playing days at Man Utd and even asked to leave the club in late 2010, though ended up staying for another seven years and becoming their all-time leading goalscorer with 253.

But asked if he sympathised with Rashford's struggles, Rooney said on: «Not much, to be honest. He's in a privileged position where he is playing for Man Utd.

»He is the one player that I believe can get my goalscoring record. I hope he does but he needs to hit consistency. He is not having the best of seasons, so he needs to find some form and become a leader.

«I don't think he's that type of player, a leader. His body language doesn't sometimes look the best.

»Players such as [Raphael] Varane and Bruno [Fernandes] should be getting that out of Marcus."

Rooney even suggested his former teammate may have to leave Old Trafford if he wants to avoid the pressure of playing for Man Utd.

«It is difficult. I have said about some of the problems I had with dealing with it. It is important the people you have around you.

»It can get lonely, I hope he's not in that position. You play for United and England, you will get scrutinised. He is a Manchester lad and I really hope he gets back into form and has a long career here.

«Maybe he needs to move to another club. I hope the introduction of INEOS can