A powerful voice from Manchester United’s past has stepped into the spotlight, and his words are already echoing loudly around Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney, United’s all-time leading goalscorer and one of the most respected figures in the club’s modern history, has spoken out passionately about Rasmus Højlund, urging the club to fully back the Danish striker and warning that failing to do so could become a costly mistake.
Rooney’s message was clear, emotional, and impossible to ignore.
“He still has the hunger, the desire, and the fight to succeed at Manchester United,” Rooney said. “People forget too quickly. He never had a problem with Michael Carrick, and if he’s trusted properly, he’d be unstoppable here.”
Those words alone were enough to ignite a fresh wave of debate among United fans, pundits, and former players. But when placed in the wider context of Højlund’s turbulent time at the club, Rooney’s comments feel less like nostalgia and more like a serious footballing warning.
Rasmus Højlund arrived at Manchester United with enormous expectation on his shoulders. A young striker, physically dominant, technically improving, and mentally fearless, he was presented as a long-term solution to United’s long-standing striker problem. From the very beginning, the pressure was immense. Old Trafford is not a forgiving environment for forwards, especially young ones, and history has shown how quickly confidence can rise or fall under the spotlight.
Rooney understands that pressure better than anyone. He lived it. He thrived in it. And that is exactly why his defence of Højlund carries so much weight.
According to Rooney, the biggest issue surrounding Højlund has never been ability. It has been environment, structure, and trust. He believes the striker has often been left isolated, expected to carry the attack without the consistent support or tactical clarity required for a young number nine to flourish.
“When you’re a striker at United, everything is magnified,” Rooney explained. “If you don’t score for two games, it becomes a crisis. But people forget the work you do, the runs you make, the pressure you apply. That stuff matters.”
This perspective resonates strongly with those who have watched Højlund closely. While his goal tally has been scrutinised relentlessly, his overall contribution has often been overlooked. His pressing, his movement across defenders, his willingness to battle physically with centre-backs far more experienced than him — these are not the traits of a player lacking desire. If anything, they show a striker desperate to succeed.
Rooney also addressed a narrative that has quietly circulated around the club: that Højlund struggled with authority or clashed with the coaching staff. He dismissed that idea outright, pointing specifically to Michael Carrick.
“He never had a problem with Carrick,” Rooney said firmly. “That tells you a lot. Carrick understands midfield balance, timing, and how attackers need service. If there was an issue, it wasn’t attitude.”
That comment has sparked intense discussion because Carrick is widely respected inside United as a calm, intelligent football mind. If Højlund earned Carrick’s trust, it suggests that his understanding of the game and willingness to listen were never in question. Instead, Rooney seems to imply that instability around him — tactical changes, inconsistent selection, and pressure to deliver instantly — played a far bigger role.
There is also a psychological dimension to this story. Young strikers need belief. They need to feel that missed chances will not immediately cost them their place. Rooney himself missed chances early in his United career, but he was backed, trusted, and encouraged. That support allowed him to develop resilience and confidence, two qualities that defined his success.
Højlund, by contrast, has often looked like a player walking a tightrope. One quiet game, one missed opportunity, and the noise grows louder. Rooney believes this environment is unfair and counterproductive.
“You don’t build a striker by breaking him down every week,” Rooney added. “You build him by believing in him.”
Inside the United fanbase, reactions to Rooney’s comments have been intense. Many supporters feel that Højlund has been judged too harshly, too quickly. They point to the lack of consistent creativity around him, the frequent changes in system, and the absence of a settled attacking identity. Others argue that United cannot afford patience and that results must come immediately.
But Rooney’s intervention shifts the conversation. This is not a fan pleading for patience out of hope. This is a club legend offering a professional assessment, grounded in experience and understanding of what it takes to succeed at Old Trafford.
He also touched on something deeper: identity. Rooney believes Højlund embodies the type of forward United fans historically connect with — aggressive, fearless, willing to fight for every ball.
“He wants it,” Rooney said. “You can see it in his body language. He’s frustrated because he cares.”
That frustration, according to Rooney, should not be mistaken for weakness. Instead, it should be nurtured and channelled. Many great United strikers — from Rooney himself to Ruud van Nistelrooy — played on the edge emotionally. That edge, when managed properly, becomes a weapon.
The timing of Rooney’s comments is also significant. Manchester United are at a crossroads. Questions are being asked about recruitment, long-term planning, and whether the club truly supports young players or consumes them. Højlund’s situation has become symbolic of that wider debate.
If United decide to move on from him prematurely, it would not be the first time the club has watched a young talent thrive elsewhere after struggling under the weight of expectations. Rooney is acutely aware of that pattern, and his warning feels aimed as much at the board as at the coaching staff.
“Let him grow,” Rooney urged. “Because if you don’t, someone else will benefit.”
Those words hit hard. In modern football, patience is rare, but the cost of impatience is often higher. Højlund still has years ahead of him. His physical tools are elite, his mentality is strong, and his understanding of the game is evolving. What he needs now, according to Rooney, is clarity and belief.
Rooney also highlighted the importance of role definition. He believes Højlund has too often been asked to do everything — press, hold up play, run channels, finish chances — without the support structure to make that sustainable.
“No striker can do it alone,” Rooney said. “Not at this level.”
That statement feels especially relevant given United’s struggles to consistently control games. When midfield dominance is lacking, the striker suffers. Højlund has often found himself feeding off scraps, yet he continues to work tirelessly. For Rooney, that effort should be applauded, not ignored.
As the story spreads, it has already reignited hope among sections of the fanbase who believe Højlund’s best days at United are still ahead. It has also put pressure on decision-makers to reflect. Are they nurturing talent, or are they chasing short-term fixes?
Rooney’s final message was perhaps the most telling.
“If he’s backed properly, he’ll surprise a lot of people,” he said. “I’ve seen this story before.”
That line carries weight because Rooney has lived it. He knows what it means to be doubted, scrutinised, and tested at Manchester United. He also knows what happens when belief meets ability.
For Rasmus Højlund, this public backing from a club legend could be a turning point. Whether United choose to listen may define not just his future, but their own direction as a club trying to rediscover its identity.
⚡⚽ A POWERFUL MESSAGE THAT HAS UNITED FANS TALKING
