Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Wayne Rooney has now defended former Manchester United and England teammate Marcus Rashford after the Manchester City clash at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Marcus Rashford was brought back into the Manchester United starting XI against Manchester City after he missed the Champions League encounter with Sabah.
The 28-year-old England star started out on the left wing and Rashford saw out 83 minutes before Michael Carrick withdrew him and replaced him with Joshua Zirkzee.
Rashford missed the mark with his performance in Man Utd’s 1-0 defeat to Man City and Wayne Rooney has now offered his verdict on what he saw from the player.
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Wayne Rooney spotlights Patrick Dorgu’s role during Marcus Rashford’s Man Utd display against Man City
Patrick Dorgu supported Marcus Rashford out on the left wing after the 21-year-old Manchester United player was deployed at left-back in the absence of Luke Shaw.
The Danish winger and full-back had a disappointing display on Sunday evening, including playing Erling Haaland onside for Manchester City’s controversial winner.
Michael Carrick has been alternating Patrick Dorgu at left-back and left wing in the 2026-27 campaign and the Denmark international has struggled this season.
Speaking on The Overlap, Wayne Rooney has now insisted that Rashford needs to be tucked in more from the left wing rather than being further out on the pitch.
“Dorgu has to go as high and as wide as he can to keep the width on the pitch, keep [Bryan] Mbeumo as high and wide as he can, or [Diogo] Dalot go as wide as you can,” he told the Stick to United show.
“You need two wingers to stretch the pitch.”
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The name and number 9 of Marcus Rashford of Manchester United is seen on the back of his shirt during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 06, 2026 in Liverpool, England.
Photo by Lewis Storey – Danehouse/Getty Images
Manchester United v Manchester City - Premier League 2026/27
Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images
Wayne Rooney on what the slight tactical tweaks would do for Marcus Rashford on Man Utd’s left wing
If Patrick Dorgu does stretch out the opposition team in the left-back role, then Rooney is convinced that Rashford can drift in more effortlessly on the pitch.
“Then you have Rashford coming inside closer to goal,” Man Utd’s all-time leading scorer added.
“I feel with Marcus he’s doing a lot of good work, but he’s too far away from goal; that’s probably not his fault, but he has to be closer to goal and be a goal threat.”
Rashford has made four Premier League appearances for United and the former Barcelona and Aston Villa forward has made three starts for the Red Devils so far.