Wayne Rooney hopes Marcus Rashford builds Man Utd legacy after new deal
Wayne Rooney hopes “incredible talent” Marcus Rashford can help bring titles back to Manchester United and put himself at the same level as the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. The 20-time league champions have now not won a Premier League crown for a decade, with neighbours Manchester City establishing themselves as the dominant force during that period. United have endured a topsy-turvy time since Rooney helped Sir Alex Ferguson’s side lift the 2012-13 title but things are looking up under Erik ten Hag. Mason Mount has joined from Chelsea and Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana is set to follow him to Old Trafford as the Dutchman looks to build on last season’s Carabao Cup triumph and third-place finish. United have been further boosted on Tuesday by tying down homegrown star Rashford, who has signed a new five-year deal after breaking the 30-goal barrier for the first time last season. “I think Ten Hag has done really well since he came in last season,” Rooney, the club’s all-time top scorer, said. “You can see he’s trying to create a squad and a mentality with the signings he made last season and also again what they’re trying to do this year. “I think Marcus Rashford is an incredible talent. I am delighted he signed a new deal. I think the next five years for him is going to be real important in his legacy, if you like. “Because he can score a lot of goals but if he really wants to go to that level which Mbappe and Haaland are at, I think he has to be the man to get Manchester United back to winning trophies and league titles. I hope he can do that.” City – basking in the afterglow of their treble triumph – are some hurdle to overcome, with up-and-coming manager Rooney full of praise for Pep Guardiola. “I think Manchester City have certainly raised everything,” the DC United boss said. “You look at Liverpool for a couple of seasons were really challenging them. “They’ve set a challenge for Manchester United, for Arsenal, for Chelsea, for Liverpool and all the teams, really. “Guardiola has been, for me, one of the best things to happen to English football – not just in terms of the league but actually the England national team too. “Some of the coaching he’s given the young English players, before with (Raheem) Sterling, John Stones, Kyle Walker, has really helped them develop as players. “I know they were senior players in the England set-up, to pass that knowledge onto some of the other players well. “Yeah, there’s a challenge there. I think it goes in cycles – we’ve seen it throughout the years with Manchester United, Arsenal having dominance, Chelsea having dominance. “Unfortunately it’s Manchester City’s time of dominance but I’m sure the teams that are challenging are going to be coming back over the next few years, that’s for sure.” Rooney was speaking ahead of managing the Major League Soccer All-Stars against Arsenal, whose manager Mikel Arteta is another coach he admires. “I think he’s done incredible, really, to go in at Arsenal and he won the FA Cup in the first season and really pushed Manchester City last season,” the England great said. “Still as a young coach, it’s great to see. Everyone coaches in their own ways, styles and identities. “He’s been fantastic and I’m sure working with Guardiola helped him massively as well. “That’s where you want to get to as a young coach, into the top teams obviously, being English, in the Premier League. “I’m going through the steps to try and do that where Arteta has already been through those steps and had probably the best training he could have working alongside Guardiola.” Rooney and Arteta shared a warm embrace between the press conferences in Washington DC, where new boy Declan Rice could make his first Arsenal appearance since joining for £105million from West Ham. “I think he’s a huge signing for Arsenal,” Rooney said. “He’s a fantastic player with a great mentality, young. “Arsenal have got a player at the top of his game but I think he’ll bring a great character into the dressing room. “He’s a captain, he could be captain of Arsenal. I think he’s a player who Arsenal needed and they’ve certainly got a top player.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Heather Knight proud of England’s Ashes fightback No fitness concerns over Declan Rice, says Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta Tiger Woods: Winning 2006 Open at Royal Liverpool ‘most gratifying’ of my titles
2023-07-19 05:19
Georgia's Kirby Smart says complacency is the biggest threat to the Bulldogs' three-peat hopes
Kirby Smart says complacency is the biggest challenge his Georgia Bulldogs face while trying to add a third straight national football championship
2023-07-19 04:54
Jordi Alba to reunite with Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets at Inter Miami
Veteran defender Jordi Alba is set to join former FC Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets in Miami
2023-07-19 04:29
Steelers begin 2023 with Kenny Pickett firmly entrenched at QB but plenty of questions elsewhere
The Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping their strong end to the 2022 season carries over into 2023
2023-07-19 04:24
Galchenyuk to check into player assistance program after outburst during arrest
Former Arizona Coyotes player Alex Galchenyuk is entering the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program and apologized for hurling threats at officers during his arrest earlier this month
2023-07-19 04:22
New-look Cardinals open Gannon's first year, await QB Kyler Murray's return
The Arizona Cardinals open their first training camp with new coach Jonathan Gannon, who was hired to replace the fired Kliff Kingsbury
2023-07-19 04:00
Braves place lefty Allard on 60-day injured list with nerve inflammation in shoulder
The Atlanta Braves have placed left-hander Kolby Allard on the 60-day injured list after he was diagnosed with nerve inflammation in his left shoulder
2023-07-19 03:56
Seahawks open training camp with attention on defense's potential improvement from last season
Coming off an unexpected playoff berth, the Seattle Seahawks open training camp believing they have closed the gap in the NFC West
2023-07-19 03:52
Los Angeles Rams rely on few remaining stars with depth lacking amid roster remodel
Less than two years after their Super Bowl championship season, the Rams have decided to take as much salary cap pain as possible in 2023
2023-07-19 03:45
Brooks Koepka's practice round with Zach Johnson has a Ryder Cup tone
Scottie Scheffler is the first American to mathematically clinch a spot on the Ryder Cup team
2023-07-19 03:23
DeMeco Ryans takes over Houston team looking to improve with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud
After three seasons as one of the league’s worst teams, the Texans have tasked DeMeco Ryans with turning around the franchise in his first head coaching job
2023-07-19 03:20
Settling on Tom Brady's successor will be Buccaneers' top priority in training camp
The competition between Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask to replace Tom Brady is extending into training camp
2023-07-19 02:55
