Wednesday 5 October 2016 09:19, UK
England captain Wayne Rooney has backed teenage team-mate Marcus Rashford to develop into a “superstar” for club and country.
The 18-year-old striker has had a meteoric rise to fame since Louis van Gaal handed him his Manchester United debut in the Europa League against Midtjylland in February.
Rashford scored twice in that game before going on to score twice in his Premier League debut against Arsenal three days later and has continued to hit the back of the net with regularity since.
Rooney admits he cannot help but be impressed by his young team-mate's talent and believes he is still only scratching the surface of his potential.
"I think Marcus is doing fantastic," Rooney said. "He is probably one of the most exciting players in world football, young players, at the minute.
"I am sure if he keeps working hard and developing he'll be a superstar in years to come."
After forcing his way into Roy Hodgson's Euro 2016 squad, Rashford was dropped for Sam Allardyce's only match in charge of the senior team but impressed his successor Gareth Southgate when he scored a hat-trick for England's Under-21s against Norway.
Rashford is now back in the England senior squad after forcing his way into Jose Mourinho's starting line-up at United and Rooney believes he has fully justified his recall with goals in three of his five Premier League appearances so far this season.
"It's important with exciting young players that they get the rewards they deserve and I think he deserves it," Rooney said of Rashford's return to the senior squad.
"He's been fantastic since he got into the Manchester United squad and he's carried that on again this season so he fully deserves his chance to be in the squad and to play.
"And I'm sure if he does that he will take his opportunity."
