Rooney: Rashford Is Fantastic

Wayne Rooney is backing Marcus Rashford for further stardom with club and country after praising his fellow Manchester United striker's "fantastic" approach to the game.

The captain was appearing on MUTV's Thursday Focus alongside world-champion boxer and United fan Anthony Crolla when he was asked by co-host David May for his assessment of Rashford.


"Marcus is incredible," replied Rooney. "He was thrown in last season when we, the other players, weren’t sure he was ready. But he was thrown into the [Midtjylland] game and got two goals. Since then, he hasn’t looked back.

"I think his attitude is fantastic. He wants to work, he wants to learn and some of the younger players nowadays in football haven’t really got that attitude. It’s great to see and he’s getting his rewards for it. He is some talent and, if he keeps going, he’ll be a real star for this club and for England."

Still only 18 years old, Rashford has already scored six goals this season - three for United and three, a hat-trick, for England's Under-21 team - and Rooney feels that freedom is a factor in the youngster's success.

"Of course, we encourage him but, with players like that, you just want to let them play. You don’t want to teach them how to play football because they [already] can," said Wayne.

"You want them to play and express themselves – what you’re seeing is Marcus expressing himself and scoring goals, which is great for the team."

Of course, Rooney himself broke into top-flight football as a teenager, with Everton, and was also 18 when he made his debut for United.

"He’s a bit quicker than I was!" quipped the captain on the subject of comparisons.

"I think, as a young lad going in, you almost feel like there’s nothing to lose and no pressure. If you’re allowed to have moments where it doesn’t go for you, then you can have those moments everyone looks back on.

"You’re just playing football on instinct and that’s the best way to play it."