It's Marcus Rashford's fault! Wayne Rooney blames Barcelona loanee for Man Utd downfall following 'inconsistent environment' claim

Rashford appeared to have rediscovered his best form in 2022-23 when posting a career-best return of 30 goals for United. He was handed a lucrative new contract, but has slowly tumbled down the pecking order since then. With a regular role under Ruben Amorim proving elusive, the 27-year-old was allowed to spend the second-half of last season on loan at Aston Villa.

He showed glimpses of his former self there, but no permanent deal was done. That allowed La Liga giants Barca to swoop in over the summer. Three goals and five assists have been recorded for the Blaugrana, leading to suggestions that an extended stay in Catalunya could be secured.

Rashford, who has earned an England recall under Thomas Tuchel, told ITV during the latest international break of why he endured a couple of frustrating campaigns in Manchester: "For sure, consistency is a massive part of it. I feel like I have been in an inconsistent environment for a very long time, so it is even more difficult to be consistent. But I completely agree, I think consistency is what I need to bring into my game and I am looking to do that. I want to be at my best, not sometimes, but as often as possible.

"When people talk about consistency, in order to be consistent in anything, not just sport, you need consistent variables in your life and the way you train. We have just had so many changes so far in my career but I have to look forward and that is definitely one of the things I want to put right and improve on to be at my best more often. When I am at my best I really enjoy everything about the sport."

While managerial changes at United have done Rashford’s cause few favours, Rooney believes that a product of the Red Devils’ fabled academy systems needs to shoulder blame for failing to deliver often enough.

United’s all-time leading goalscorer told The Wayne Rooney Show podcast: "I think the environment hasn't been right but that is down to yourself. If you are not playing well or you get left out of the team then I think it is easier to blame the environment and whether that is right or wrong. I think that comes from how you apply yourself.

"In games we have seen with him where we know he can do more, we know he can run more - that is nothing to do with an environment. I might be wrong here, I really like Marcus as a lad and as a person but I think that is an easy one to throw at people."

Another United great, Paul Scholes, has also suggested that Rashford did his own cause few favours when facing uncomfortable questions at Old Trafford. The ex-England international said: "I really struggle to feel happy for Marcus Rashford. Mainly because of his attitude. His attitude towards Man United towards the end was disgraceful. The amount of times I saw him walking because he wanted to leave… His whole demeanour about him was a disgrace.

"I think he quit on Man Utd. When you quit once, you’ll quit again. He’s definitely got the talent to be [one of the best players in the world]. But he’ll never have the mentality."

Rashford, who made his Red Devils debut in 2016, scored 138 goals for United through 426 appearances. He won five major trophies and is tied to a contract through to 2028, but would appear to have little future with his parent club as Barcelona mull over the merits of triggering a purchase option in 2026.