Before I came back at Old Trafford, I showed the board and the coach four Man Utd players who are the future of this club. They are world class star and we must not sell them. They end up selling the three of them”-Wayne Rooney told Man United to build the team around four players in 2022 but only one remains at the club
In 2022, Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney put forward an ambitious strategy for rejuvenating the club, stressing the importance of building a core team around four key players to restore its glory. At that time, United was struggling under interim coach Ralf Rangnick after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal. Rooney, speaking as a pundit on *Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football*, suggested that Manchester United’s future should be centered on young talents capable of forming the foundation of the squad for years to come.
Rooney identified Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Scott McTominay, and Jesse Lingard as pivotal players, asserting that with the right backing, they could lead United forward. He was particularly optimistic about Rashford and Sancho, believing they had the potential to excel if they regained their confidence. He also urged the inclusion of Lingard in the starting lineup, praising his energy, while also recognizing McTominay’s strong performances.
However, fast forward to 2024, and Rooney’s vision has largely fallen apart. Of the four players he highlighted, only Marcus Rashford remains at the club. Significant changes have swept through Old Trafford, and the other three players have either left permanently or are on loan. Despite Rooney’s confidence, Manchester United’s instability has made it challenging to achieve the consistency and stability he had envisioned.
Rashford, who remains a key figure in the squad, has not experienced the career resurgence Rooney predicted. While he had promising moments following Rooney’s remarks, the 2023/24 season was tough for him, marred by injuries and a slump in form. He struggled to recapture his best performances, leaving many wondering if he could find his rhythm again. The 2024/25 season has not offered much improvement so far, with Rashford still searching for his top form amid Manchester United’s ongoing struggles.
Scott McTominay’s situation took a different turn when he fell out of favor under manager Erik ten Hag. Once seen as a dependable presence in midfield, McTominay was gradually sidelined as new signings arrived to strengthen the squad. By the summer of 2024, he moved to Serie A side Napoli in search of a fresh start. While McTominay had his moments at Manchester United, he eventually became surplus to requirements as the club looked for other midfield options.
Jadon Sancho’s time at United has been even more turbulent. Initially seen as a player who could add creativity to the attack, Sancho never fully lived up to expectations. Tensions between him and ten Hag came to a head during the 2023/24 season, resulting in a public dispute. By the end of the 2024 summer transfer window, Sancho was loaned to Chelsea, highlighting the ongoing turmoil at United, as the club grappled with internal conflicts and inconsistent performances.
Jesse Lingard, once central to Rooney’s vision, had already left Manchester United by 2023. After a stint at Nottingham Forest, Lingard made a surprising move to South Korea to join FC Seoul. This shift marked a far departure from the role Rooney had envisioned for him, as Lingard’s decline at United prompted him to seek opportunities abroad.
Manchester United as a whole continues to face difficulties. The 2024/25 season has started poorly, with the team sitting in 14th place in the Premier League. Recent losses to Brighton and Liverpool only deepened the crisis. As they prepare for an important match against newly-promoted Southampton, United are under pressure to secure a win and turn their season around.
This match against Southampton represents a pivotal moment for Manchester United. A win could restore some much-needed confidence, while a loss could exacerbate the club’s problems. The pressure is mounting on both the players and Erik ten Hag, and the team’s need for leadership is more critical than ever. Rooney’s rebuild vision has become a distant memory, serving as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in football.
Ultimately, Rooney’s 2022 plan to rebuild Manchester United around four key young players has not materialized. While his confidence in Rashford, Sancho, McTominay, and Lingard was based on their potential, the complexities of football and the demands of competing at the highest level have led to a very different outcome. Today, Rashford is the only player still at the club from Rooney’s vision, as United continues its search for stability and success both on and off the field.
