Nicky Butt has told The Times that Marcus Rashford can develop into Manchester United's Thierry Henry, and that it's only a matter of time before he forces his way into the team.

Rashford, 18, burst into the first team at United just over six months ago with a brace against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League, and his meteoric rise saw him named in the England squad for Euro 2016.

Butt, head of coaching at United's academy, said that the player's best position is similar to that of Henry, who went on to be Arsenal's record goal scorer.

"He wasn't a centre forward as a youngster; he probably developed into that more out of necessity last season than design," Butt said. "He actually was on the left. I believe his best position is off the side."

Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring Man United's winner at Hull. Getty

Asked if he would compared his style to Henry, Butt added: "Yes. Blistering pace. When Marcus runs at you, you can't stop him.

"Until he gets his physicality about him he's going to find it very hard to play up against some of these centre-halves. It depends how the manager [Jose Mourinho] is going to play; if he plays a Michael Carrick, who can clip balls in for Marcus to run on to, then it's all different, he can run in behind all day."

He dropped into England's under-21s for Tuesday's game against Norway, and further underlined his potential with a hat trick on his debut at that level. It came on the back of his injury-time winner for United after coming off the bench at Hull before the international break.

Rashford has spent all of this season on the bench for United so far, following the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic from PSG, though Butt thinks Mourinho will have to start the youngster if he continues to develop at such a fast pace.

"Marcus will get opportunities in the first team because he's that good," Butt added. "Lee Sharpe was the best player in the country, as a youngster, but you couldn't hold Ryan Giggs back much longer.

"Here it's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial or whoever's up top. If Marcus keeps doing what he's doing with his pace and directness, it's impossible to hold him back."

Butt highlighted one young player that United hope can have a similar impact to Rashford.

"Angel Gomes is a young talented player we've massive hopes for," Butt said.

Gomes is a 16-year-old midfielder who plays as a No. 10, has featured for United at U18 level and has captained England's U16s.