Wayne Rooney backs Marcus Rashford to be Manchester United and England superstar

Wayne Rooney believes Marcus Rashford can become a "superstar" for Manchester United and England.

This year has been an extraordinary success for the 18-year-old, going from unknown youth-team player to one of the world's most feted talents.

Rashford has become a United regular and this week returns to the England squad for the first time since being thrown in at the deep end at Euro 2016.

Rooney, his captain for both club and country, knows better than most what it is like to burst through at such a young age and is confident the teenager can become one of the best.

"I think Marcus is doing fantastic," he 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."

It is the 18-year-old's attitude as much as his aptitude that has impressed Rooney time and again.

Rashford followed up his brace on his debut in the Europa League with another days later in the Premier League, then marked his first England appearance with a goal that helped secure a squad berth for Euro 2016.

The forward dropped down to the England Under-21s squad for Sam Allardyce's first - and ultimately only - match in charge of the senior team and responded with a hat-trick against Norway.

Under-21s manager Southgate to say it would give the senior team boss "food for thought" and the past week's remarkable turn of events meant it was him making the call.

"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."