Euro 2016

Marcus Rashford: 'Being in England squad doesn't feel real'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 09 June 2016

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford admits that he could not have foreseen such a quick rise from obscurity to being a member of the England squad for Euro 2016.

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has admitted that it "doesn't seem real" being part of the England squad heading to Euro 2016.

The 18-year-old only made his senior club debut in February, being drafted in as an emergency late replacement up front due to injuries to Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney.

However, Rashford grabbed his chance with eight goals in 18 appearances during the closing months of the campaign, before netting less than three minutes into his international bow against Australia to become the youngest debutant scorer in England history.

Asked whether he foresaw such a remarkable rise, Rashford told FATV: "No. Back then I was actually trying to work my way into the 21s side and all of a sudden I appeared in the first team - you have to be ready when your chance comes.

"To be honest, I wasn't really thinking about the England set-up as much because obviously at United there was a lot of games coming thick and fast. All of my focus was on those games. At the end of the season you hear talk and stuff, but to be here now is just amazing.

"When I first went into the changing room and saw all of the players' names on the back of their shirts, it doesn't seem real. I remember going home after and speaking to my brother about it, and he agreed with me - he didn't think it was real either. That's what it's like until you get used to it, that's what it is going to be like."

Rashford is expected to start on the bench for England's opening Euro 2016 match against Russia on Saturday.