Rashford reveals he wants to be like Roo
MARCUS Rashford grew up with Wayne Rooney’s No. 9 shirt on his back.
Now the United striker is staking a claim to make it his own for England.
The Mancunian teenager has begun to establish himself as a Reds regular as Rooney’s star fades at Old Trafford.
And with the Liverpudlian overlooked by Gareth Southgate for England’s games this week against Germany and Lithuania, he could wear the centre-forward number again for the national team after scoring in it on his debut against Australia last year.
Rooney these days wears No.10 for club and - when he starts - his country, but the No.9 he used to wear for England holds special significance for the Wythenshawe youngster, who told the Players’ Tribune: “My first England shirt. I flipped it over to see if it had a number on the back. (That was always a big deal.) 9. And just above that…ROONEY.
“I was too young to appreciate the England teams of the 90s - guys like Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham - so for me, it was all about Rooney. My earliest memories of the England team are of him and Michael Owen up front together. Me and my brothers, Dwaine and Dane, would always sit down to watch the England games together.
“And then, when I was about eight years old my uncle gave me that Rooney kit. As every kid does, when you’re having a kickabout and you’ve got someone’s name on your back, you just try to follow in their footsteps.
“I was a striker, so from that day, I wanted to be just like Rooney.
“In our imaginations, we were Rooney, or Owen, or Rio playing at Wembley for England. On my debut there was another moment I’ll never forget. Number 19 got subbed into the match, and all of a sudden I was sharing the pitch with Rooney for England.
“I’m even on the pitch when he scores our second goal. I’m not out on the green, or watching England on telly. I’m right next to him. That was special.”
Rashford revealed he got a word of advice from then United boss Louis van Gaal when he was selected for last summer’s Euros in France.
“One day during training with United last season, my team-mates told me I’d been selected for the national team to go to Euro 2016,” Rashford added. “I thought they were joking. I’d only just made my debut for United a few months before. “Phil Jones came up to me as we were heading into the changing rooms and said: “I’m tellin’ ya mate, you’re going to France. “When I got my mobile phone out of my locker, there were messages from my friends, my brothers, my mum, all saying the same thing - England! “At that point, I was buzzing, but still kind of confused. And then my manager at the time, Louis van Gaal, walked up to me. “Quick word? The national team phoned,” he said. “Go and enjoy yourself.” Marcus Rashford