Rooney: Rashford can become Man Utd’s record scorer, but only if he is motivated

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Wayne Rooney believes Marcus Rashford is the only player that could overhaul his all-time Manchester United goal record – but only if the forward proves he has the “hunger” to represent the Red Devils.

Rashford made his first United appearance since December 2024 on Saturday, coming off the bench as United ended pre-season with a 4-2 defeat to AC Milan.

The England international has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for United overall, putting him 115 short of Rooney’s all-time club record.

Rashford’s future remains in doubt after he spent the last 18 months on loan at Aston Villa and Barcelona, though centre-back Harry Maguire said after Saturday’s game that he wants United to keep the attacker.

Rooney would also like to see him stay, but only if he shows the right attitude after repeatedly outlining his desire to join Barcelona permanently last season.

“If he wants to be at the football club, he just has to knuckle down,” Rooney said on Disney+’s Stick to United show. “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.”

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 15, 2026

Rashford scored four goals and supplied five assists in 17 matches for Villa in the second half of 2024-25, then provided 25 direct goal involvements (14 goals, 11 assists) in Barca’s LaLiga title-winning season in 2025-26.

Though Rooney is sure Rashford has the talent to shine at Old Trafford, he feels improvements to his body language are required.  

“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?” Rooney added.

“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.”

United open their Premier League campaign away at newly promoted Hull City on Saturday, with boss Michael Carrick yet to indicate whether Rashford will remain at the club.

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