Marcus Rashford says he can’t wait for the opportunity to take part in his first international tournament.
The 18-year-old was joined by Wayne Rooney – his captain at both club and international level – as he spoke exclusively to FATV in his first major interview.
Rashford has enjoyed a whirlwind few months, starting with his Manchester United debut at the end of February and culminating in his selection in Roy Hodgson’s squad for Euro 2016.
And the young striker says he’s delighted to have been handed the chance to represent his country this summer: “I'm very happy to be here.
“I think it's a good way to end the season for me, and hopefully we get some joy in the tournament.
“It doesn't seem real, when you look back.”
Marcus Rashford
“It doesn’t seem real, when you look back at it. [At Christmas] I was actually trying to work my way into [United’s] under-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 so 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. For it to be in my hands to go out and help the country is an amazing feeling.”
EXCLUSIVE: Rashford & Rooney speak to FATV in Chantilly
Having been named in Hodgson’s initial 26-man squad for this summer’s finals, Rashford enjoyed a dream debut for the Three Lions as he scored inside the first few minutes of last month’s friendly win over Australia.
That was seemingly enough to convince Hodgson to select him in his final party to travel to France, and the game is one that the youngster says he’ll always look back on with pride.
“When I first went into the changing room and saw all of the players' names on the back of their shirts, it didn’t seem real,” enthused Rashford, who was speaking at a golf course in the Three Lions’ base town of Chantilly.
“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.
“I tried not to think about it too much because that's probably where the pressure and stuff starts to get to people's heads and affect their performance.
“For me, I was just concentrating on playing how I'd been playing and all of a sudden the goal came. It was a good way to start.”
Watch as Rashford opens his England account within minutes of his debut
