Wayne Rooney urges Marcus Rashford to be 'more ruthless' in front of goal... as Man United legend insists under-fire England star must 'simplify his game' to start scoring again
- Marcus Rashford endured a difficult night against Nottingham Forest
- United won 1-0 at the City Ground in Wednesday's FA Cup fifth round tie
- Manchester United's Sir Jim Ratcliffe can rebuild the stadium, build a museum… but they should pay for it - It's All Kicking Off podcast
Wayne Rooney has urged Marcus Rashford to be 'more ruthless' in front of goal after the Manchester United forward endured a difficult night against Nottingham Forest.
The England international was largely anonymous at the City Ground, where Casemiro's late goal sealed a 1-0 win to ensure United progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals to face Liverpool.
With Rasmus Hojlund out injured, Rashford was deployed as United's main striker with Alejandro Garnacho moved to the left wing to accommodate Antony on the right.
But Erik ten Hag's tactical tweak failed to pay any dividends, as Rashford missed two excellent chances and had a penalty appeal waved away by referee Christopher Kavanagh in the second half.
Rooney, suggested his former teammate needed to be more patient in front of goal, but conceded his struggles were exacerbated by a lack of chances.
![Wayne Rooney has urged Marcus Rashford to be 'more ruthless' in front of goal](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/28/23/81848459-0-image-a-25_1709163593148.jpg)
Wayne Rooney has urged Marcus Rashford to be 'more ruthless' in front of goal
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The Manchester United striker endured a difficult night in the 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday night
'You need the team to create chances for you if you are playing as a number nine,' the former United striker said on BBC, where he appeared as a pundit alongside Gary Lineker and Jermaine Jenas.
'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's performance on Wednesday night was typical of a difficult season for the 26-year-old, who has struggled on and off the pitch.
United's No10 has scored just five goals in 32 appearances in all competitions in this campaign, after scoring a career-best 30 goals last term- the first United player since Robin Van Persie in 2012-13 to hit the milestone.
A lack of goals has been accompanied by rumours of a rift with ten Hag, with the Dutchman reportedly nonplussed at the player's 12-hour drinking binge in Belfast last month.
And Rooney suggested Rashford's paltry return was down to a lack of confidence.
'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 said.
'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.'
![Rashford missed two chances and was criticised by Alan Shearer for his body language](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/28/23/81848465-0-image-a-28_1709163654895.jpg)
Rashford missed two chances and was criticised by Alan Shearer for his body language
![The England international felt he should have had a penalty in the second half](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/28/23/81848477-0-image-a-27_1709163651155.jpg)
The England international felt he should have had a penalty in the second half
Speaking before the game, Rooney said:
'He’s a player who’s come through, he’s got a massive amount of potential and already shown a lot of that, but I think for different reasons he’s found this season difficult.
'We’ve obviously seen stuff in the headlines. But for Marcus the main focus is get your head down and more importantly work hard, I think that’s what everyone wants to see.
'His ability will get him the goals, we want to see Marcus enjoying his football but also working hard, work for the team, that’s what everyone wants to see.'
Rooney's comments came after Alan Shearer delivered a scathing assessment of Rashford in the first half.
Shearer, working as a pundit on BBC for the game, led the criticism for the forward as he called for him to take more responsibility for his actions.
'Come on Marcus, get up. Stop waving your arms around,' he said. 'You've got to do better.
'I don't like his body language at times. He's trying to send a message out to the fans, it's not my fault.
'You as an individual have to take responsibility now and again for your actions on the pitch. Get up and get on with it.'
'Marcus Rashford still has to send out the correct message to the fans with his body language and at times this season he hasn't done that. He is getting frustrated.'
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