VAN GAAL: QUALITY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN AGE

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal insists young players should be judged on their ability and not their age, following speculation that Marcus Rashford could be in contention for the England squad ahead of this summer's European Championship.

The striker has made an excellent start to life in the Reds' first team, netting four goals in his first two games, including a brace in last weekend's 3-2 win over Arsenal at Old Trafford.

Rashford was named Player of the Month for February ahead of Memphis Depay and Jesse Lingard and has been tipped for a call-up to the national team, a suggestion that van Gaal believes has not necessarily come too soon for the youngster, even if he felt Roy Hodgson had been asked a leading question on the matter.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the United manager said: "I think Roy Hodgson has answered the question and you are asking again. I don't pay a lot of attention to that as that is the media, not Roy Hodgson or I.

"You are putting the question but saying that Roy Hodgson is saying something. However, it is never too early [for Rashford]. As I have said before, age is not important. Age is not important, it is quality."

Three Lions boss Hodgson previously had his say, ahead of England's upcoming friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands at the end of the month.

"I would neither rule him [Rashford] in or rule him out, I just hope he can do well," he told reporters. "I have been watching Rashford for two years, so I have known about him for a long time. He is in our system.

"He plays for the [England] Under-18 team, so we are delighted that a player playing for our Under-18s, players who we believe in and who we think have got a bright future, are getting chances in the first team. I hope he has a good end to the season. Most of all, I hope he is allowed to develop as an 18-year-old should and people don't try to put him under enormous pressure.

"Scoring four goals in three games is a great achievement and, if he can keep that up, it is great for Manchester United and England."