Wayne Rooney praises Anthony Martial for 'magic moments' but urges caution for Manchester United starlet

Superb start: Rooney has been impressed with the impact Martial has made
OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images
Sam Long28 September 2015

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has praised the impact that Anthony Martial has made in the early stages of his Old Trafford career.

The 19-year-old's £36m deadline day move to the Red Devils from Monaco made the striker one of the most expensive teenagers in world football, but he has taken all expectation in his stride thus far.

Martial only needed a matter of minutes to open his account for the club as he capped a 3-1 victory over Liverpool and has since found the net against Southampton and Ipswich Town to take his tally to four.

The teenager failed to find the net in Saturday's commanding 3-0 victory over Sunderland but did provide an assist that allowed Rooney to scored his first Premier League goal since April.

The skipper, who confessed to knowing little about Martial prior to his arrival, is delighted with the way his new teammate has settled into life at United but warned that the starlet should be treated with caution.

“He’s been ­incredible. We have to remember he’s a 19-year-old lad who doesn’t speak English. But the start he’s had has been incredible.

“He’ll be a big player for us throughout the season and in the future, but we need to let him enjoy his football, and I’m sure he’ll bring plenty of magic moments for us.”

Rooney also revealed that he was untroubled by his lack of Premier League goals this season after bringing his 1,000 minute drought to an end at the expense of the Black Cats.

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“I wasn’t worried. It’s my fifth goal of the season for United and I’ve scored for England, so it was just all about getting off the mark in the league.

“Hopefully everyone will ­concentrate on me playing my football now and I’ll enjoy it.”

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