Rooney: Rashford's Time Will Come

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is excited by Marcus Rashford’s burgeoning talent but insists it’s important to give the young striker time to fulfil his potential.

Rashford came off the bench to score a dramatic injury-time winner in Saturday’s Premier League game at Hull City, ensuring a third straight win for the Reds at the start of 2016/17.

It was the 18-year-old’s ninth goal in 20 appearances since he first burst onto the scene in February and Rooney expects him to contribute plenty more in the coming weeks and months.

The skipper told reporters: "Marcus is a fantastic player, one of the brightest talents in European football. We know that and we saw it last season.

"He's a young lad and it's important not to get too carried away. Sometimes it's hard to do that because he's such a talented player but, as players and team-mates, we need to try to guide him through it and let him focus on the football.

"I'm sure his chance will come. He did brilliantly when he came on and got his goal. He's an important player for us."

Rashford's meteoric rise last season culminated in a senior England call-up for Euro 2016, and he has been named in the Three Lions’ Under-21 squad for the forthcoming Euro qualifier against Norway. Jose Mourinho feels Rashford will benefit more from playing with the Under-21s and Rooney agrees.

"It's a huge honour for him to play for England," Rooney said. "It was a big moment for him to go to the Euros and it's still important for his development to go and play with the Under-21s.

"It's important that he gets games because he hasn't played that much. I think it will be good for him. He knows that and he understands that and his time will come and he will get his chance for Manchester United and England."

With Zlatan Ibrahmovic starting up front for United, Rashford’s two appearances so far this term have been as a substitute. For Rooney, that’s just one example of the strength in depth at Mourinho’s disposal.

"I think that's the big difference this year," Rooney added. "We've got players on the bench who were starting every game last season and some players haven't even travelled.

"We've got a big squad and a lot of quality, and whichever players the manager wants to use will have to step in and do a job."