Wayne Rooney told Man United to build the team around four players in 2022 but only one remains at the club

Back in 2022, Wayne Rooney told Manchester United to build their team around four players, but only one remains at the club.

At the time, United were going through a tough time under interim manager Ralf Rangnick after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was dismissed.

During an appearance on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Rooney picked out four players that United should’ve built their team around.

He said: “I think [Jadon] Sancho will be better next year, Marcus [Rashford] will be better next year.

“They've got good young players. I think Jesse Lingard should be playing for them because he brings energy, brings quality. Scott McTominay's done well.”

Rooney continued: “So they do have some good young players, you just have to get some confidence and get them believing that they're good players and perform at the best level.

“And then obviously, whoever the new manager is, I'm sure he'll bring his own players in and build that through.”

Two years after Rooney’s comments, only Marcus Rashford remains at Old Trafford.

However, the Englishman endured a tough 23/24 season and has so far struggled this campaign.

Meanwhile, midfielder Scott McTominay left United for Italian Serie A side Napoli during the summer transfer window.

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Jadon Sancho, who had a public falling out with manager Erik ten Hag, was offloaded to fellow Premier League side Chelsea on loan on transfer deadline day.

Lastly, Jesse Lingard left Old Trafford back in 2023 for Nottingham Forest and is now playing for South Korean side FC Seoul.

United have had a poor start to the 24/25 campaign as they are currently in 14th place in the Premier League after losing to Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool before the international break.

The Red Devils are back in action on Saturday as they take on newly-promoted Southampton in the early kick-off.