Manchester United legend full of praise for Aston Villa superstar

22-year-old Morgan Rogers has taken the Premier League by storm so far this season, standing out as one of the most talented attacking players in the league. His performance against Bayern Munich in Villa's Champions League victory on Wednesday night only helped to receive further applause from the football community.

Manchester United legend praises his quick progress

As reported by John Townley, Middlesbrough manager and former Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has been full of praise for his former player's progress this season. Rogers left Championship side Boro in January to join Unai Emery's side and after a slow start in claret and blue, had found good form by the end of the 2023/24 season. Having scored his first Premier League goal in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea in April, he started to turn heads after many across the football community had raised eyebrows at the £8 million fee that was paid by Emery for his services.

There were signs that Rogers would be a talent for the future of Aston Villa last season, but no one would have expected the levels he is already showing this campaign. Rogers appears to have matured incredibly quickly and is bullying his way past most defenders who try to dispossess him. His first direct goal contributions in the win over Wolves and draw at Ipswich will have given him great confidence that he can produce the numbers to match his excellent performances.

Having been playing Championship football at the beginning of the year, to have made his Champions League debut in 2024 would have been a dream come true for Rogers and his family, and a dream that would have been thought to be more likely in a few years.

Carrick has spoken of his pride in Rogers's quick development and has revealed the message that he sent to his former player after Wednesday night's victory over Bayern Munich:

"I actually messaged him last night and said this time last year you were coming on as a sub against Cardiff. "

Carrick went on to say:

"We'd have loved to have kept him longer, and I told him that at the time, but the way he's kicked on is a credit to him. He was a joy to work with and try to help, and he's gone on to a whole new level now. Watching him last night, he looks so at home and he's not fazed by it and he's getting the recognition he deserves."

Rogers misses out on England selection, again

Despite his superb performances this season, Rogers again missed out on selection for the England senior squad for their upcoming fixtures against Greece and Finland. Lee Carsley has huge competition for places in the attacking department and has selected the likes of Jack Grealish, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke and Morgan Gibbs-White instead.

Carrick has said, "If he keeps doing the right things, for sure [Rogers being selected for England]. To get in that England squad you have to earn that over time and he's certainly on track".

There is a plethora of attacking talent in that England squad, but Rogers will be disappointed to miss out after arguably performing at a higher level and more consistently in both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League than some of the other names on the squad list.

Instead, he will remain in the England Under-21 side after being selected alongside Villa colleagues Jaden Philogene and Samuel Iling-Junior in the squad that will face Ukraine and Azerbaijan Under-21 teams. Rogers scored twice last time out for the junior national side, and should he do similar again and maintain his current level of performance then it is only a matter of time before Carsley includes him in his squad.

UTV