Marcus Rashford returned from injury against Newcastle on Wednesday (Picture: Getty Images)
Wayne Rooney feels it might be time for Marcus Rashford to leave Manchester United, with the club needing a ‘massive clear out’ of players.
Rashford has had an underwhelming season, scoring just seven Premier League goals after a brilliant campaign last time around which saw him score 17 times in the top flight.
The 26-year-old’s form has been so poor that he may miss out on the England squad for Euro 2024 this summer and Rooney is questioning whether he has a future at his boyhood club.
The Manchester United legend feels Rashford’s mindset is not right and unless he improves it then it could be time for him to move on.
‘We all know Marcus has the ability to play at the top level. I just wonder if it’s time for Marcus to go and play elsewhere. I don’t know. He has to ask himself that question,’ Rooney said on Sky Sports.
‘I want him to stay and break records at this club. But he needs to get his head right, get his head down, work hard and get back to the player we know he can be.’
Rashford is far from the only player that Rooney thinks could be on the Manchester United chopping block this summer, saying Bruno Fernandes and ‘the young players’ are the only ones who should survive a huge clear out.
Wayne Rooney wants to see huge changes at his former club (Picture: Getty Images)
‘You have to build the team around Bruno, he is the one player with quality and he has fight in him,’ said the 38-year-old. ‘[I’d keep] the young players. And then all the other players, get rid of them.
‘It has to be a massive clear out. It won’t be in one year, but it’s going to be in the next couple of years.’
The Red Devils returned to winning ways on Wednesday night with a 3-2 victory over Newcastle at Old Trafford, with goals from a trio of the young players Rooney mentioned: Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund.
Erik ten Hag’s side stay eighth in the Premier League table despite the victory, but hopes of European football stay alive going into the final day of the season.
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