Wayne Rooney backs Marcus Rashford to break long-standing Manchester United record

Wayne Rooney has backed Marcus Rashford publicly to break his long-standing goal record for Manchester United, should the 28-year-old “knuckle down" and fix his body language.

Rooney currently holds the record with 253 strikes in 559 appearances for the Red Devils. He paired those goals with 143 assists, according to Transfermarkt.

Until last season, the former Manchester United man also held the record for the most Premier League goals scored for a single club, until Mohamed Salah dethroned him for Liverpool.

Rashford’s future in Manchester remains in the air, having just exited an 18-month loan period with Aston Villa, then Barcelona.

He currently has 138 goals in 426 appearances for the Red Devils, putting him 115 behind Rooney with just under 150 games less played.

Harry Maguire recently came out in support of his long-time team-mate last Saturday, stating that he hopes Rashford’s presence will remain at Old Trafford.

Now, Rooney has publicly backed the England international to break his record haul, provided he can “knuckle down” and see the current saga with Manchester United end in a positive resolution.

Rooney publicly backs Rashford to break his goal record of 253 for Manchester United

The Manchester United legend discussed Rashford on Disney+’s ‘Stick to United’ show, stating plainly that he has no interest in seeing the 28-year-old excel elsewhere.

"If he wants to be at the football club, he just has to knuckle down,” confessed Rooney. "He's the player that could go and get my goalscoring record!

"I don't want to see Marcus Rashford doing well at Aston Villa or Barcelona. I want to see him doing well at Man United and scoring goals for Man United.

"But that means he has to get his head down and work his socks off. Be more positive. Play with a smile on his face,” concluded the Red Devils’ current record goalscorer.

Rashford enjoyed his loan period with Barcelona, registering 25 goal involvements, 14 goals and 11 assists, en-route to the Lamine Yamal-led side’s La Liga title.

While some anticipated the Spanish giants retaining the England international’s services, Rashford has returned to Manchester with his future somewhat in doubt.

When former boss Ruben Amorim brought his AC Milan side to Old Trafford last weekend, prevailing 4-2, the 28-year-old was reportedly one of three players to give the Portuguese coach the cold shoulder.

READ MORE: Footage of Ruben Amorim meeting several Man Utd players immediately after AC Milan speaks volumes

Rooney expanded on what he hopes to see from Rashford going forward, which includes a change in body language, attitude, and drive.

"It's such a strange one with Marcus. We know he's got the ability; he's shown that, but has he got the hunger? Does he want to play for Manchester United?" said the 40-year-old.

"I've been there, in 2010, when I asked to leave the football club. Then I stayed. You have to rebuild the relationship with the fans and the easiest way to do that is work hard and work on your body language.

"You could have a bad game, you could give the ball away and make mistakes, but if the fans see you working hard and putting in a shift for the team, they'll accept that.

"I think Marcus' body language, even when he came on [against Milan]... it isn't great. He might have to work with someone to make his body language look better,” Rooney concluded.