Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney praises Anthony Martial
Monday 26 October 2015 22:35, UK
Wayne Rooney has tipped Manchester United team-mate Anthony Martial to become one of the best strikers in the world under Louis van Gaal.
The 19-year-old won the Premier League Player of the Month award for September having made a stunning impact at Old Trafford since becoming the most expensive teenager in transfer history with a £36m move from Monaco on deadline day.
Rooney may end up battling with the Frenchman this season for the right to play as the lone striker under Van Gaal, but the United captain has no doubt about the benefits of his fellow striker who has scored five goals in 10 games.
"I think he has been incredible, how he has come over to Manchester and started the way he has," Rooney told United Review.
"Let's not forget he is still a very young lad as well. To come over with his young family and start the way he has, he deserves a lot of credit.
"You can see what a good player he is and he'll be an important player for us from now until the end of the season. He is probably the quickest player in our team, if not the quickest in the league."
United were held to a goalless draw by rivals City at Old Trafford on Sunday in the 170th Manchester derby, with some critics suggesting Martial, deployed wide on the left, should have have been given the front striker's position handed to Rooney.
One new United recruit who seems to be taking a little longer to settle at Old Trafford is Dutch winger Memphis Depay.
It is clear though that Van Gaal is a big fan of the 21-year-old, bought from PSV Eindhoven for £31m in the summer, and United will hope Depay and Martial can form an alliance as good as Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo did under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Asked about comparisons with the star duo, Rooney, who signed for United aged 18, added: "They are certainly two very good players who have lots of talent and ability.
"If they keep learning and progressing like they are, then hopefully they will do what me and Ronaldo did back then. It would be great for the team if they can do that.
"The good thing is that they want to learn and that is good to see in young players. They haven't come in and just done things the way they want to do them.
"They are doing things for the team and listening to what the manager is saying to them. I am sure under this manager they will learn a lot and that will help them become top, top players in the world."
Rooney was also full of praise for Chris Smalling who has secured his first-team spot under Van Gaal 18 months after struggling to make an impact at the club.
"He has been incredible," Rooney said. "He is in the top three centre-halves in the world - I think he is that good!
"He is a great player and he is developing to become more of a leader of the back four. It is great to see for both United and England, and hopefully that can continue for him and he can help us to be successful."
