Manchester United‘s optimistic captain Wayne Rooney had high-praise for his young teammates as they prepare to take on AFC Bournemouth with a possible Champions League berth on the line. Rooney says that the between the talent displayed by the young players Man United have utilized this season along with the risks/rewards of playing for the Champions League, it’s “an exciting time for the club.”
In an interview with the United Review [per the Daily Mail], Rooney praised the team’s young quartet of attackers: Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Memphis Depay and Jesse Lingard, and said he was excited for the future of the club with that group leading the team.
Rooney reserved his highest praise though for the French striker Martial, who the Red Devils acquired from Monaco in a then-criticized £36 million transfer this past summer. The 19-year-old promptly proved his worth to the team, scoring in his debut against Liverpool and leading the team in goals with 11.
‘It’s always exciting working with young players,’ he told United Review. ‘People forget how young Anthony Martial is (20).
‘The club bought him so he hasn’t come through the academy, but he’s still only a really young lad.
‘He’s still learning, improving and the same goes with the likes of Memphis Depay, Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, so it’s an exciting time for the club.
‘Hopefully they keep improving as players and it’ll be a really bright future for Manchester United.’
Marcus Rashford has made a name for himself ever since a masterful performance against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League in his unexpected debut earlier this season, which he followed up with a brace against Arsenal in his Premier League debut the following weekend. He has netted seven times in just 16 appearances for the Red Devils.
Lingard and Memphis have contributed fewer goals but have still shown flashes of promise for the team this year.
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