Soccer

Louis van Gaal: Marcus Rashford is not too young for England squad

Manchester United manager says Euro 2016 selection should be based on quality not age

Marcus Rashford has made a lightning start to his Manchester United career. Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Marcus Rashford has made a lightning start to his Manchester United career. Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Jamie Jackson
Sat Mar 05 2016 - 15:00

Louis van Gaal believes that if Marcus Rashford has the quality to play for England then his age should be no barrier to Roy Hodgson selecting the 18-year-old for Euro 2016.

Rashford has begun his Manchester United career with four goals in his opening three games and impressed with his contribution off the ball. On Thursday Hodgson suggested the door is open to Rashford regarding the summer's European Championship and Van Gaal agrees. "It is never too early. I have said that a lot of times. Age is not important. It's the quality," said the manager.

Van Gaal’s side are up to fifth in the Premier League, behind Manchester City only on goal difference, and the Dutchman is looking for a top-four finish. “It’s still our aim but our aim is also to win a title and a title is winning the Europa League - Manchester United hasn’t won the Europa League so it would be fantastic for United and the fans. Also the FA Cup is many years ago [2004]and that is also fantastic.

“A title is always more than fourth position. But the Champions League is our aim and that is why Europa League and fourth in the table are important.” The Europa League winners will also qualify for the senior competition.

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In the wake of the comments by an American sports marketer regarding the probability of Leicester City reaching the Champions League at the expense of richer clubs, Van Gaal was asked about the prospect of a closed-shop European super league. The Dutchman rejected the idea, saying: “Everybody knows when you follow my career that I am against the super league and something like that,” he said.

“Sport is to be the best. When the Champions League came into existence I said it was rubbish because the first- and second- and third- and fourth-placed teams played. The competition should be between champions, in my opinion.

“It is only commercial thinking. When you are thinking like a commercial dealer then all right but sport is to win not to be second or third.”

Bastian Schweinsteiger is due to return this month from a knee injury. "Schweinsteiger is coming back in March," Van Gaal said. "Lots of players are coming back but they must be fit to play, which is different."

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