Hodgson hints that he'll take Marcus Rashford and Jack Wilshere to Euro 2016

Hodgson has been keeping a close eye on the 18-year-old forward, who scored twice on his debut against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League and got two more in Sunday's Premier League win over Arsenal.

Rashford was a late inclusion in United's team against Midtjylland after Anthony Martial was injured in the warm-up, but he became an instant club hero as he struck twice in a 5-1 win in the last 32, second-leg clash - and the England manager says he is not surprised to see him thrive.

"I would neither rule him in nor rule him out, I just hope he can do well," Hodgson said at a Euro 2016 coaches' briefing in France on Thursday.

Hodgson added that while he was pleased to see an England Under-18 player featuring in United's first team, he hoped Rashford would not have too many expectations placed on him.

"My hope for Rashford, and it is a vain hope, is that he will be allowed to develop in peace and it won't suddenly be a question of, 'You have scored two goals for Man United and you're going to be the next Cristiano Ronaldo' or every time he has two or three bad games he is a flash in the pan.

"Let's hope the lad gets a chance to develop in the same way as Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley, Wayne Rooney, David Beckham and Paul Scholes," Hodgson added.

"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."

Hodgson also spoke about Arsenal's Jack Wilshere, suggesting that the midfielder will go to Euro 2016 if he's fit - despite not having played all season following a broken leg before the Community Shield last summer.

Hodgson said a lack of game time does not mean he would opt against calling up the 28-cap player, having never understood why it is believed players need to have played a certain number of games before being considered fit or not.

He likened Wilshere's situation to that of Tottenham double-winning defender Dave Mackay - who overcame a twice-broken left leg to remain an important member of the successful Spurs side of the late 1960s.

"Dave Mackay came back from two broken legs," Hodgson said when asked if he is concerned that Wilshere has not played this season.

"The first one he came back almost immediately after his leg was healed and played a game, and then he broke it again but played again as soon as it healed again.

"I don't know why we should be quite as protective as all that. Players are either fit to play or not. Whether they play 30 games, 40 games, 10 games, 15 games, 8 games, I don't understand that.

"For me it's all about the class of the player. It's about who is in form and out of form. Even to some extent I have to rely on others' judgement on that.

"Form is transient, but class isn't. We need classy players and players we can trust and players we know what they will give us and players who have the desire, motivation and wish to play for England, to do all that's necessary.

"Luckily we have some of those. But let's be realistic, we are not in the 60, 70 and 80s when it comes to those. If there are 30 players who reach the high standards I demand we will have to pick 23 from them."

The England boss then went on to suggest his captain Wayne Rooney would also be involved - even if he is not back to his best when the Euros come around.

Rooney is suffering from a knee injury picked up in Manchester United defeat to Sunderland last month but is hoping to return by the end of March - and Hodgson said Rooney will not have to be in a rich vein of form to be involved, he simply needs to be fit.

"He has got to come back before the end of the season, there is no doubt about that," Hodgson added.

"Form is transient, his qualities, his leadership qualities and the fact he is captain of England is not transient - that is a given.

"There is no way I should be looking to dismiss a Wayne Rooney who is fit and playing football on the basis he is out of form because he is our captain and a captain is important and there are 23 players.

"What he has got to try and do is get fit so I can pick him and then show enough form when he is with us to demand a place in the team - that is what Wayne fully understands because he is a footballer and all his life he has had to do that."