Manchester United: Marcus Rashford has 'long way to go' before England call-up, says academy chief Nicky Butt

The 18-year-old scored braces against both Midtjylland and Arsenal, in the Europa League and Premier League

Marcus Rashford (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United head of academy Nicky Butt believes Marcus Rashford has a "long way to go" amid calls for England manager Roy Hodgson to take him to the European Championship.

The 18-year-old scored a duo of braces against both Midtjylland and Arsenal to inject new life into a campaign which was heading towards crisis territory for manager Louis van Gaal.

While uncertainty continues to surround the Dutchman’s future at Old Trafford, some have suggested Rashford’s exploits deserve to be rewarded with a call-up to the England squad for the preparation fixtures against Germany, Netherlands, Turkey, Australia and Portugal.

“I think that's well too soon for Marcus,” former United and England midfielder Butt told the BBC. “I think it could backfire on everybody really, and might not be the right thing for him.

“I'm not telling an England manager what to do, it's his job to pick whoever he feels. But for me he's a young boy who's still learning the game and has got a long way to go yet.”

Meanwhile, speaking after the 1-1 draw with West Ham United, Van Gaal was proud of his players for keeping their FA Cup dreams alive at the end of a “very nasty week”.

Following a 1-0 league loss at West Bromwich Albion, made worse by the 2-0 defeat at Liverpool in the first leg of their Europa League round-of-16 tie, Anthony Martial scored a late equaliser to secure an Upton Park replay.

“For the first 15 minutes I think West Ham were the better team and they created a few chances, but after that we came back into the match,” Van Gaal said.

“We have created chances and in the second half we were the better team. They scored out of a free-kick. We were behind. We have played against West Brom and lost, and Liverpool and lost this week, and when you come back from that I think it is amazing, and fantastic spirit in the team, in spite of a very nasty week. I am very proud of my players. We are still in three competitions.”