Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney had responded to Marcus Rashford’s comments that the club’s environment was to blame for the Barcelona loanee being unable to perform consistently for the Premier League side.
Rooney and Rashford played together on 37 occasions for United between 2015 and 2017 before the Liverpudlian rejoined his former club Everton.
Since hanging up his boots in 2021, Rooney has embarked on a career in coaching with Derby County, D.C. United, Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle, but is currently without a managerial role.
The 39-year-old, who is United’s record goalscorer, has also undertaken several roles working in the media and is not afraid to offer his honest take on his former sides.
Advert
During a recent episode of ‘The Wayne Rooney Show,’ Rooney spoke about Rashford’s recent comments regarding the “inconsistent environment” at United.
Speaking on ITV Sport ahead of England’s 5-0 win against Latvia earlier this week, the United forward, currently on loan at Barcelona, said: "I feel like I have been in an inconsistent environment for a very long time, so it is even more difficult to be consistent.
"But I completely agree, I think consistency is what I need to bring into my game, and I am looking to do that. I want to be at my best, not sometimes, but as often as possible."
Since arriving at Barca, Rashford has registered three goals and five assists in ten appearances and appears to be enjoying his life in Catalonia.
But Rooney did not agree with the 28-year-old’s claims and stressed that when a player isn’t performing that it’s “down to yourself”.
"I think the environment hasn't been right, but that is down to yourself,” Rooney said.
"If you are not playing well or you get left out of the team, then I think it is easier to blame the environment and whether that is right or wrong. I think that comes from how you apply yourself.
"In games we have seen with him where we know he can do more, we know he can run more - that is nothing to do with an environment.
"I might be wrong here, I really like Marcus as a lad and as a person, but I think that is an easy one to throw at people."
Rashford and Barcelona return to La Liga action on Saturday against Girona.
Topics: Wayne Rooney, Marcus Rashford, Manchester United, Football, Premier League, Barcelona, La Liga
Luke Davies