Moyes a minder in Wayne's world

'I'm more concerned about him becoming the best player in Everton's history'

There were no child-labour laws to protect Mickey Rooney from Hollywood's exploitation, but Wayne Rooney lives in more enlight-ened times. He also has David Moyes as his minder.

Everton's new prodigy is fortunate to have a manager who not only acted as David Beckham's football babysitter, but learned the hard way as his own career failed to live up to the meteoric standards set by those teenage years.

Moyes was almost a veteran compared to his 16-year-old striker when he made his Celtic debut at 18. Rooney's task, though, if he makes his first Premiership appearance next Saturday, will be child's play compared to that of his boss, whose baptism of fire was marking Paolo Rossi in the European Cup against Juventus. Moyes' mind often goes back to that night in Turin in September 1981. It was a landmark that he could cling on to when he was later drifting in the backwaters of Shrewsbury and Cambridge. Now, the Premiership's youngest manager, at 39, is keen to steer its most precocious talent away from the same fate.

"I don't want Wayne having any regrets because the management didn't try to help him," reflected Moyes on Friday as he prepared to unveil Rooney to the Goodison public for the first time in a friendly against Athletic Bilbao. Despite the fact that he has yet to make a competitive appearance for the club, the England Youth cap is already the talk of Merseyside.

The bush telegraph began last season when his goals took Everton to the FA Youth Cup final. More followed in pre-season friendlies in Austria and Scotland, and Moyes knows he cannot hold Rooney back any longer.

"I could have given Wayne his debut towards the end of last season," Moyes revealed. "He was on the bench when we went to Southampton, but we were leading 1-0 and I didn't want to change things.

"Actually, he was still officially at school then and not allowed to be involved, so we had to put him down as a 'work-experience' pupil. Now his time is right."

Moyes' caution meant that Rooney missed the chance to steal Joe Royle's record – 16 years and 288 days – as the youngest Everton debutant, but Moyes is convinced other records will come the teenager's way, not least as the club's youngest scorer if he nets before February to eclipse Tommy Lawton.

"I am more concerned about him becoming the best player in Everton's history, not the youngest," declared the manager. "Wayne has always played above himself. He was in the Under-17 side at 14."

Such advancement was the hallmark of the callow-faced Manchester United teenager sent by Sir Alex Ferguson to Preston North End in 1993. The shrewd Scot reckoned Deepdale, rather than the deep end at Old Trafford, was better for Beckham. Moyes, then a veteran centre-half, took the new arrival under his wing. "David was very young and he needed experience, which Preston gave him," Moyes recalls. "Wayne Rooney does not need experience at any other club, and it's also easier to get into the Everton team than it was for David to get in United's.

"Fergie handled David so well, and more so Ryan Giggs, who was closer to Wayne's age. I can learn from that."

The big problem, though, is that the word is out and success-starved Goodison is desperate to embrace a goal- scoring phenomenon after watching self-confessed Evertonians Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen dazzle in Liverpool's colours.

"Wayne's actually a very shy lad, and is a bit in awe of the players because he's stood at Goodison shouting them on," said Moyes of his prodigy, who, when he scored against Aston Villa in the Youth Cup final, ripped his blue shirt off to show a T-shirt which proclaimed "Once an Evertonian, always an Evertonian".

"I was like that at Celtic," Moyes added. "When I was 18, people thought I was going to be a top player but I wish now I'd had more advice when I was 19 or 20. I know there will be a time when Wayne hits a brick wall, but that's when he'll be taken out of the side and I'll look after him."

Dream Teens A team of starlets who can light up the season

Stephen Bywater (West Ham)

An expensive teenage buy – £300,000 – now No 2 behind David James. The England man is injury-prone, so could be busy.

Rohan Ricketts (Tottenham)

You have to be good to join a Premiership club at 19, but you need strength of character to move from Arsenal to Spurs.

Jermaine Jenas (Newcastle

He moved from Forest for £5m towards the end of last season. He never looked 19, let alone out of place on the big stage.

Stuart Parnaby (Middlesbrough)

Steve McClaren may have left Man U, but intends to give kids a chance. Intelligent midfielder who could play in League Cup.

Boran Djordjic (Manchester United)

There may not be another golden generation but this 19-year-old from Yugoslavia proves the production line still works.

Valerio Di Cesare (Chelsea)

The Italian was one of Gianlucca Vialli's final investments. The signs are that he could be close to a first-team outing.

Jermaine Pennant (Arsenal)

Still only 19, the form of the Nottingham-born wide man is the reason why Arsène Wenger has not been panic-buying.

Stefan Moore (Aston Villa)

Expect great things from the elder of the Moore brothers. Quick, intelligent, strong. Intertoto Cup form showed he is ready.

Wayne Rooney (Everton)

The talk of Merseyside. He may not turn out for Everton at a younger age than Joe Royle, but he is ahead of Michael Owen.

Carlton Cole (Chelsea)

The 19-year-old has played in only three League matches but he did score. He is tall and lanky, but also skilful and pacy.

Jérémie Aliadière (Arsenal)

The 19-year-old French prodigy has been given the No 30 squad number and is tipped to make an Anelka-like impact.

By Alex Hayes