Marcus Rashford earns an England spot at Euro 2016

Three months ago, Marcus Rashford hadn't even played a senior game in professional soccer. Now, the 18-year-old Manchester United forward is going to the European Championship for England.

By including Rashford in his 23-man squad yesterday, England coach Roy Hodgson countered critics who accuse him of being a conservative coach.

He can't be accused of just going with the safe choices any more.

When England qualified for the European Championship in September, Rashford was still in the United academy facing a long and arduous path to the first team.

He was only plucked from the youth ranks in February as a last resort during an injury crisis by now departed manager Louis van Gaal.

Hodgson is taking Rashford to France among five forward options alongside captain Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane, Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy.

Winger Andros Townsend and midfielder Danny Drinkwater were cut, along with the injured Fabian Delph.

England opens its Euro 2016 campaign on June 11 against Russia.

The final list chosen by Hodgson is as follows:

Joe Hart (Manchester City), Fraser Forster (Southampton), Tom Heaton (Burnley)

Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Danny Rose (Tottenham), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham)

Dele Alli (Tottenham), Ross Barkley (Everton), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester)