Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney hit back at Marcus Rashford after he claimed the environment was to blame for his struggles at Old Trafford. 

Rashford is spending the 2025-26 season on loan at Barcelona, who have the option to make the move permanent next summer. 

The England international left the Red Devils after falling out of favour with manager Ruben Amorim. 

Although Rashford was not Barcelona’s first-choice summer target, he is now flourishing on loan at the Catalan club. 

He has scored three goals and provided five assists in 10 appearances across all competitions for the La Liga giants. 

In a recent interview, Rashford said he had been in an inconsistent environment at United for a very long time. 

However, Rooney doesn’t believe the environment was to blame in his case. 

Speaking on the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, he said: “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.”

Rooney is absolutely right about Rashford, who finds it convenient to blame the environment at Old Trafford rather than admit he hadn’t given his best efforts for the club. 

The 27-year-old is a gifted player who is highly rated for his dribbling skills and finishing ability. 

In 426 appearances across all competitions, he registered 138 goals and 78 assists for United. 

But Rashford’s attitude and work-rate have been issues with him. The forward publicly admitted last year he was ready for a new challenge after being dropped from the team by Amorim. 

Although he is a quality player, United would be better off without him.