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England’s Rashford reflects on dramatic rise ahead of EURO 2016

England Press Conference

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MAY 26: Marcus Rashford of England arrives at the team hotel on the eve of their international friendly against Australia at the Hilton Gateshead on May 26, 2016 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

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To describe Marcus Rashford’s rise to the full England national team as a whirlwind is an understatement.

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He’s come from absolutely nowhere to be at Euro 2016 with the Three Lions after being thrust into the limelight at Manchester United.

He’s the youngest player on the youngest squad at Euro 2016 this summer.

Rashford, 18, only made his United debut in February but after scoring eight goals in 18 appearances, plus playing a pivotal role in their FA Cup victory, the Mancunian striker is in dreamland.

Speaking to FATV, the teenager revealed he has to pinch himself to see where he’s at after only being handed his United debut by former boss Louis van Gaal due to a spate of injuries four months ago.

“At Christmas, I was trying to work my way into United’s Under-21s side,” Rashford said. “To be here now is just amazing. It doesn’t seem real, when you look back at it. I wasn’t really thinking about the England set-up as much because at United there were a lot of games coming thick and fast, so all of my focus was on those games.”

Now all the focus for Rashford and his England teammates is on performing this summer.

It is unlikely the United prodigy will get substantial minutes at Euro 2016 with Roy Hodgson having Jamie Vardy, Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge to also select in attack, but the experience Rashford will gain from being involved in this tournament as a teenager will be invaluable.

And, just like he showed on his one and only appearance for England so far against Australia where he scored in a 2-1 win, Rashford won’t let anybody down if he’s called upon this summer.

His mixture of pace, power, clever movement and clinical finishing has excited a nation but with Jose Mourinho arriving at United as their new manager, many are worried Rashford’s development may be halted by the Portuguese coach and his reluctance to give youth a chance.

For now, though, Rashford is living every teenager’s dream and could prove to be an important wildcard for England to deal this summer.

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