Marcus Rashford: Rooney Says 23-Year-Old Is Man United's Key To Getting Best Out Of Pogba

Derby County manager, Wayne Rooney believes the key to getting the best out of Paul Pogba at Manchester United is more forward movement and has called on Marcus Rashford to adapt his game.

Pogba was the star of Euro 2020 before France were eliminated, according to Rooney, who hopes that the midfielder can replicate his international form at United.

Writing in his column for The Sunday Times recently, Rooney wrote: “Some of the passes Paul played for Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappé were incredible. At United, Edinson Cavani is a different type of No 9, one who plays in the box, but if Marcus Rashford can develop his game and be encouraged to start making those Mbappé-style runs in behind, I believe you would see Paul doing more of what he does for his country in a club shirt.”

Rooney added:

"Like a lot of people, I fancied the French to be champions and as a team, they were a massive disappointment.

"That was a particular shame for Paul Pogba. He had been the player of the tournament until they went out.

"I think the biggest reason that Paul’s performances were so good was his positioning. 

"He was playing deeper than we normally see him for Manchester United and this meant that he was able to pick the ball up in areas of the pitch where he had the time and room to pick a pass."

Man United players return to Carrington

Meanwhile, eighteen members of the Manchester United squad have been pictured at Carrington, on the first official day of pre-season training on Monday.

Recall a handful of Reds are still involved with their national sides at major tournaments, while the likes of Scott McTominay, Victor Lindelof and Paul Pogba have been using Instagram to share footage from their respective holidays after exiting Euro 2020.

It will still be a while before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has his full squad to work with, but players who weren't in international action and therefore had the whole of June to rest and recuperate are coming back as attention turns towards United's four pre-season friendlies.

Although the Euros and Copa America are still to reach their climax, it may surprise some to be reminded that it's less than a fortnight until the Reds' on-pitch preparations for 2021/22 begin with an away game against Derby County.

Those present include seasoned first-teamers Axel Tuanzebe, Brandon Williams, Alex Telles and Nemanja Matic, with the quartet expected to play a significant part in the friendlies as United's international contingent recover and get back up to speed.