Wayne Rooney heaped praise on Bukayo Saka by naming the Arsenal winger as one of the Premier League‘s best players in recent years ahead of Sunday’s clash against Manchester United.
Arsenal and England international, Saka, has continued to star under Mikel Arteta‘s guidance has been a formidable threat in helping the Gunners stay in the Premier League title race alongside Man City.
The 22-year-old is enjoying his best season yet with 16 Premier League goals and nine assists, with Rooney marvelling over his development at Arsenal and emergence as one of Europe’s best.
Speaking at Old Trafford, United legend Rooney said: ‘I think over the last couple of years he has been one of the best players in the Premier League.
‘I think what’s really refreshing with him nowadays you see the wide players always wanting to come inside, but he mixes it up.’
Wayne Rooney heaped praise on Bukayo Saka (pictured) by naming the Arsenal winger as one of the Premier League’s best players
Saka has enjoyed a career best season in the top flight with 16 goals and nine assists
Rooney (pictured) labelled Saka as a ‘big game player’ for Arsenal in their title fight
Rooney continued to analyse Saka’s ability to hurt opposition defences and compared his style of play to Arsenal legend Marc Overmars who previously won the FA Cup and Premier League at the London club.
Overmars scored 40 goals in 141 appearances for the Gunners before later going on to join Barcelona.
‘He makes runs off the ball and beyond, a bit like Marc Overmars years ago, he’ll make them runs and behind. He’ll come inside, and he’s very effective,’ continued Rooney.
‘He scores goals, and he’s certainly a big game player. I think he’s such a clever player for such a young lad and his numbers, goals, assist, he’s got it, but he’s always a threat.
‘He’ll take the ball. He’s always a threat. And I think he what he does, he gives Arsenal outlets when they need it, but also he’ll create. So I think he’s such an important player for Arsenal,’ added Rooney.
Rooney further compared Saka’s style of play to that of Arsenal legend Marc Overmars (pictured)
Meanwhile, Rooney also highlighted the performances of Man United’s Kobbie Mainoo who has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at the club and is fighting for a place within England’s European Championship squad.
The 19-year-old has flourished in what has been a difficult season for United, but Rooney is concerned the club’s senior players aren’t ‘protecting’ him enough during games.
‘Mainoo at the minute, he’s having to be the main player at times, which it’s too much for him,’ he said.
‘What we’re going to see, which is natural, is performance and drop, his confidence will drop, and he needs a bit of protection and I don’t think he’s getting it,’ added Rooney.
