01 March 2024 , 02:00
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Wayne Rooney has called for Marcus Rashford to do more following the Manchester United forward's poor display against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.
Rashford, 26, was deployed as a No.9 in the absence of Rasmus Hojlund for the fifth round tie, which United won at the death through Casemiro. He failed to have any sort of influence on proceedings, though, and looked a shadow of the player who plundered 30 goals in all competitions for Erik ten Hag's side last year.
Rooney, the club's all-time leading goalscorer, was questioned about Rashford's poor form this season in the BBC Sport studio. And the former England captain pointed out that Rashford needs to wait for others to create chances for him in a central role rather than trying to make things happen himself.
Speaking on Wednesday night, Rooney said: "You need the team to create chances for you if you are playing as a number nine. Marcus Rashford needs to be more ruthless and be patient and stay in the middle of the goal. You just want to see more from him."
Rashford has managed just five goals in 32 appearances this competition and has produced a number of underwhelming displays. Rooney is adamant that a confidence crisis is the reason behind those paltry returns.
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He continued: "Confidence is the main factor, he hasn't been scoring regularly this season and he maybe needs to simplify his game to get back in the groove. He's not the most vocal lad. His body language doesn't look great at times but he's not like that. The senior players need to get more out of him and get him fired up."
While Rooney believes that a lack of confidence is responsible Rashford's current drought, he's far from the only person associated with Manchester United who has questioned the player's suitability to play as a No.9.
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Rashford was ineffective in United's 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest (Daniel Chesterton/Offside)Speaking back in 2019, former United manager Jose Mourinho also suggested that Rashford's talents were, perhaps, not best suited for a central attacking role. He said: "I am not going to say he cannot ever be a number nine, he can be a dangerous number nine especially if the opposition is not pragmatic, is not close and is giving spaces to attack. He can be dangerous in transitions.
"But when Manchester United is a team that normally plays against teams who go to Old Trafford, close the door, bring the bus, bring the double bus, he is not a striker to play with his back to the goal. He is not the target man, he doesn’t score as many goals as a striker should do. So I think from the side you will get him to numbers of 10-12 goals per season.
"He is very professional, he works for the team, he understands what you tell him to do from the defensive point of view. Playing from the sides he can be a very good player, probably better than at nine. But he feels he is a number nine and I think the club and the manager feel he is."
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