Woodman Hails England Colleague Rashford

By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor

Freddie Woodman was delighted to see his England youth international colleague Marcus Rashford hit the headlines at the weekend - and believes there is plenty more young, British talent capable of emulating the Manchester United teenager.

Rashford, 18, scored twice against Arsenal on Sunday, having netted a brace on his senior debut last week as the Red Devils beat FC Midtjylland in the Europa League. Just three months earlier, he played against Newcastle's under-18s as Dave Watson's side ran out 2-1 winners.

But while on the surface it appears to have been a rapid rise for the Manchester-born striker, Newcastle goalkeeper Woodman first met Rashford when both were just 15 years old.

"We used to be in the England under-16s team together," Woodman told nufc.co.uk. "In terms of England, he's gone off the radar a bit but I'm sure he'll be back now after scoring four goals for Manchester United.

"I think it's just a case of people develop at different times, and this is his time. He's taken his chance.

"He's quick, he's skilful and he likes to get at players. I haven't seen him for a while, because the last time we played together we were under-16s, but like you saw the other day he gets in the box and scores goals.

"In our England team we've got a lot of good finishers. Everyone knows about Arma (Adam Armstrong) and we've got Dom Solanke and Izzy Brown (of Chelsea). That age group has got so many good players and Marcus is one of them.

"And I'm well-placed to say that his finishing is really good - although I like to think I had the upper hand on him in training!

"He's a nice lad, down-to-earth, and he's good to get along with.

"The thing with our team is when we go away, everyone is so together. Obviously it's been a while since I've seen him but hopefully I'll see him back in the England team soon."

Woodman and his Club colleague Armstrong were part of the England under-17s team which won the UEFA European Under-17 Championships in Malta just under two years ago.

England beat Holland on penalties in the final with Woodman - who has spent time on loan with Crawley this term - proving to be the Young Lions' spot-kick hero.

Rashford didn't make the squad for that tournament, which illustrates the quality that was available to then-coach John Peacock.

"If you look at the team, there's quite a few players that have already been in and around the first teams at club level," Woodman said.

"Obviously Arma's doing really well at Coventry, Dom Solanke and Izzy Brown are out in Holland (with Vitesse Arnhem), Patrick Roberts has just gone to Celtic... you can go across the whole team and most of them are playing.

"That's the key, getting into men's football as soon as possible. Then you need to take your chances when you get handed them.

"I can see that players are doing that - and I'm just waiting for mine.

"I fully believe that if you're good enough, you're old enough; age doesn't matter and he's proved that.

"And a lot of players have done that this season. Louis van Gaal has given debuts to a few young players and across the Premier League we've seen that if you give young players a chance, they can take it."

Lewis Cook, who is earning rave reviews in the Championship with Leeds United and Dael Fry, who has shone at the heart of Middlesbrough's miserly defence in recent weeks, were also part of the Young Lions' victorious under-17s squad.

And that group of players will be hoping to win more silverware at the UEFA European Under-19 Championships in Germany this summer.

"We've got qualifiers in March," explained Woodman, who is hoping to be named in Aidy Boothroyd's squad for games against Spain, Greece and Georgia.

"We go out to Seville and we've got to top that group to get to the Euros again. I fully believe in the boys."