Manchester United: Roy Hodgson got Louis van Gaal backing before Jesse Lingard call-up

England manager Roy Hodgson says his decision to select Jesse Lingard as part of his squad was fully supported by Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal. Lingard, 22, was called into the Three Lions squad ahead of Tuesday's friendly against France after Michael Carrick and Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy were forced to withdraw due to injury.

The forward saw his 2014-15 campaign derailed by injury but has come back into contention this season, providing an option on the right for van Gaal who has handed him six appearances since mid-October.

Following the player's first goal for the club against West Brom on 9 November, van Gaal attempted to play down expectation and urged Hodgson not to select Lingard. "I would say it is too much too early. We need to wait to see if he is consistent."

But with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Ings and Vardy unavailable, Hodgson says he was left with little choice but to call upon the United youngster. He however did call van Gaal first to explain his dilemma.

"I don't think he was wrong to say that [about Lingard]," Hodgson told a press conference when quizzed on van Gaal's comments, Sky Sports report. "Under normal circumstances, we wouldn't have been considering Jesse Lingard at this time, even though he is a very interesting player. I can understand why he said that.

"But the situation has changed enormously. He [van Gaal] gave his blessing without any problem whatsoever. It would be unfair pushing that back on him."

Lingard provided a goal and an assist in his last two games for his club but his call-up has been questioned by many. Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has been considered unlucky to not have received the call given his rich vein of form for his club and Hodgson admitted the 23-year-old was considered.

"We did consider him, yes," Hodgson continued. "He came in a similar type of player. They are both wingers. We did consider him, but we decided on Jesse."