Paul Lambert was wrong to say Marcus Rashford was carried by Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick last season
Unemployed manager insists striker, 18, got an easy run from critics because he is so young - but here's why he's mistaken
MARCUS RASHFORD was carried by Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick last season, according to Paul Lambert.
The 18-year-old England and Manchester United striker scored four goals in his first two games and got the winner over rivals Man City in March.
He was one of the few good things to come out of Louis van Gaal's tenure - but former Aston Villa manager Lambert sees it differently.
Lambert, currently unemployed, said Rashford got away with mistakes because he was so young and because he had senior players at the club helping him out so much.
Speaking to BBC Five Live, he said of Rashford: "Wayne Rooney is carrying him, Michael Carrick is carrying him - people carry you when you're young.
"When you're a young player you can make as many mistakes as you want and you know the critics won't be too harsh on you.
"When you become 22, 23, 24, and start to become a main player, then you can be criticised."
But Lambert's argument falls apart in the face of reality.
For instance, Rooney wasn't even playing when Rashford burst into the squad.
His brace against Midtjylland in the Europa League, double over Arsenal and match-winner at the Etihad came when the skipper was sidelined with a knee injury.
Rooney - who missed 11 games in all - only returned to action on April 13, coming on in the 89th minute in the 2-1 FA Cup win over West Ham.
He actually replaced Rashford, who, of course, scored the opener at Upton Park.
Six of Rashford's eight Man United goals came when Rooney watched from the bench.
Also, would you not expect the club captain and other senior players to guide and help a young prospect?
Rooney and Carrick have a combined 22 years' worth of experience at Old Trafford.
Good on them if they passed on as much advice and mentoring as they could.
Rashford himself has even embraced the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, saying he cannot wait to learn from one of the world's top strikers.
Let's just hope he doesn't ask for tips on ten-pin bowling...