The Newcastle United striker could not believe that the player whose poster he pinned to his bedroom knew not only his face, but his favourite move.
“I played against him at Old Trafford, and he said he liked the way that I always got across the defenders,” said the 18-year-old.
“He said that the Manchester United team had watched me in the clips before the game - that was a massive confidence booster for me to have someone like that say that.”
Adam Armstrong factfile
Club: Newcastle United
Position: Striker
DOB: 10/02/1997
First-team debut: v Fulham 15/03/2014
England youth caps: 24
England goals: 19
Within 48 hours Rooney’s pep-talk at St. George’s Park had paid dividends – as Armstrong fired England’s only goal in a hard-fought win over Switzerland on Thursday.
The Geordie goal-poacher then carried that confidence into the second game of the double-header on Saturday, with two fabulous strikes in a 6-1 win, taking his tally to 19 goals in just 24 games for his country.
Armstrong feels Rooney's pep-talk has given the whole team a lift.
“He came into our meeting and answered questions from all the lads and then I managed to speak with him one-on-one," he said.
“The lads were all getting photos with him and I just stayed behind after that, and the manager Neil Dewsnip asked if I could ask him a few questions about my game.
“I asked him what I can do for myself to improve as I try to play in the same way as him.
“He gave me loads of tips and advice, which is an unbelievable experience for me. Being such a young lad playing in the first-team, he told me that I always need to have confidence when I play and never be afraid to get my shots off.
“As a striker, he just said that I always need to have the belief to go again if it wasn’t happening for me and the only way to reach the top level is to continue working hard every day."
Armstrong has already won the European Championship with England U17s last year and played over a dozen Premier League games, but he still idolises Rooney.
Armstrong has scored seven goals in six games for England U18s
“It might sound daft, but I’ve still got his poster on my bedroom door at home, so it was just class.”
In the absence of Everton midfielder Ryan Ledson, Dewsnip asked Armstrong to captain England at Banks's Stadium on Saturday – an honour never before handed to the youngster at international level.
He said: “It was a bit of a surprise to be made captain. With Lego absent, there was a chance there and I put my name forward to Neil.
"He had asked in the meeting if anyone wanted to be captain, and I was straight up and let him know that I wanted it and I’m honoured he gave me it.
“You have a big responsibility captaining England. All the lads are looking up to you, but when you are on the pitch with this team it feels like there are 11 captains out there.
“I’ve captained Newcastle in the Youth Cup, but this was amazing. It’s a special feeling leading out your country.”
He added: “Do I feel like a leader? I would say so. With me being in Newcastle’s first-team, every day I’m gaining more and more experience.
"On matchdays I see how our captain Fabricio Coloccini speaks and acts around the dressing-room - that has helped me understand what I needed to do before the game.
“All my family are mad England fans, it’s always mental in the house whenever there’s a World Cup or the Euros are on.
"So for them to see me captain an England side is not just amazing for me, it’s amazing for them too.”
Armstrong played against Rooney and Manchester United at Old Trafford
Rooney himself would have been proud to have scored a brace of Armstrong's quality at Walsall.
“The first one Tammy Abraham drilled it in towards me and I’ve flicked it up and hit it on the half-volley into the top corner," he said.
"I definitely meant it too, the ball came at me so hard, I knew I couldn’t take it first time. Luckily it was a good touch.
“And I’m really pleased about the second. I have told all my team-mates at Newcastle to not let me take free-kicks anymore – I’ve been useless at them!
"But I won the kick and thought that I may as well have a go. As soon as I hit it I knew it was going in.”
Armstrong, who was originally going to be replaced at the break by Dewsnip, was given a race against the clock to claim his hat-trick after half-time.
“Neil told me at half-time that I had three minutes to get my third before I was going to be subbed off,” explained Armstrong.
“The lads were all laughing, and I was running around like mad to try and get it. It didn’t quite happen, but that doesn’t stop it from being a special day and a fantastic 6-1 win. I’ll never forget these last few days.”
