The Leeds boss is raving over Lennon and backing the youngster to follow in Rooney’s footsteps by becoming a big Premiership star.
Lennon became the youngest player in Premiership history when he made his Leeds debut at Tottenham last August.
Reid is a huge admirer of Rooney but is just as excited about having his own version of the Everton and England star at Elland Road.
Reid said in The Sun: “People forget Wayne Rooney is still only 17 because he handles the pressure so well.
“He’s an exceptional talent. If you watched a sequence of his goals it would leave you open-mouthed.
“But I like to focus on my team because we also have some good young players.
“I thought Aaron Lennon was fantastic against Swindon in midweek and I’m delighted with his progress.
“We’ve got to try and protect him but that is easier said than done when he performs so well on the pitch. He can handle the physical side of things and, like Rooney, when he’s on the ball he excites people.
“The biggest thing players like him have is the ability to go at people and beat them. He’s a real talent.”