On February 25 2016, the name Marcus Rashford meant very little to the people of Britain. Within a week he’d captured Manchester United fans’ hearts and was announcing himself as an exciting England prospect after scoring back-to-back braces against FC Midtjylland and Arsenal respectively. Less than five years later, the 22-year-old has etched his name into political folklore after convincing the British government to make a drastic U-turn concerning free school meals for vulnerable children over the summer holidays. Following Rashford’s campaign, millions of young children will be receiving at least one hot meal a day.
Lockdown has been a quiet time for football and, in particular, footballers. With training and fixtures postponed, government Health Secretary Matt Hancock urged footballers to step up and “play their part” in fighting the national crisis caused by COVID-19. Whilst all Premier League footballers have done so in terrific fashion – with their ‘Players Together’ initiative – it is United’s young forward who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in an unrivalled fashion.
After a quirk of fate – Anthony Martial’s warm-up injury in United’s Europa League 2016 group match against Midtjylland – awarded Rashford his senior debut, the teenager quickly made his mark, scoring 8 goals in just 18 games following his debut. These include scoring against eternal foe Manchester City in a hard-fought 1-0 victory and an incredible goal against West Ham United in the FA Cup Sixth Round. Rashford would go on to play as a lone striker in the final, where United beat Crystal Palace 2-1 to win the FA Cup – Rashford’s first major honour.
The season, however, was not over for Rashford as Roy Hodgson called up the then 18-year-old for Euro 2016. After scoring on his international debut (a warm-up match vs Australia), Rashford made his tournament debut in England’s 2-1 win against Wales. He would go on to make a cameo appearance in the humiliating loss to Iceland and, whilst not being able to overturn the result, was one of England’s better players on the day.
Lockdown has been a quiet time for football and, in particular, footballers. With training and fixtures postponed, government Health Secretary Matt Hancock urged footballers to step up and “play their part” in fighting the national crisis caused by COVID-19. Whilst all Premier League footballers have done so in terrific fashion – with their ‘Players Together’ initiative – it is United’s young forward who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in an unrivalled fashion.
After a quirk of fate – Anthony Martial’s warm-up injury in United’s Europa League 2016 group match against Midtjylland – awarded Rashford his senior debut, the teenager quickly made his mark, scoring 8 goals in just 18 games following his debut. These include scoring against eternal foe Manchester City in a hard-fought 1-0 victory and an incredible goal against West Ham United in the FA Cup Sixth Round. Rashford would go on to play as a lone striker in the final, where United beat Crystal Palace 2-1 to win the FA Cup – Rashford’s first major honour.
The season, however, was not over for Rashford as Roy Hodgson called up the then 18-year-old for Euro 2016. After scoring on his international debut (a warm-up match vs Australia), Rashford made his tournament debut in England’s 2-1 win against Wales. He would go on to make a cameo appearance in the humiliating loss to Iceland and, whilst not being able to overturn the result, was one of England’s better players on the day.
An exciting Man United prospect replaces a distinguished Man United legend in England's Euro 2016 second round match against Iceland.
In March 2020 when news broke that schools in the UK were going to close, Rashford took immediate action. Challenging the stereotype that footballers are idle, selfish and unintelligent, he teamed up with charity FareShare on March 19 to provide food to children who rely on school meals. As they would no longer be able to go to school for their meals, Rashford has raised over £20 million, and counting, to feed them. Starting as a local initiative in Greater Manchester, the footballer’s impact has helped expand the operation which has now reached over 2.8 million children across the country. A brilliant effort, yet just the first stride for Rashford over the lockdown period.
Rashford returned from Euro 2016 to a new-look United side as José Mourinho tenure begun. 2016/17 saw Rashford consigned to the left-wing as marquee signing Zlatan Ibrahimović took the sole striker role. However, it didn’t stop the youngster from scoring at critical junctures throughout the season – goals against eventual champions Chelsea and a winner in the Europa League quarter-final clash against Anderlecht, to mention a few. In total, Rashford played 53 games in Mourinho’s first season at United, which ended with Rashford winning both a League Cup and Europa League winners’ medal.
The following season was marked by a sixth competition debut goal for Rashford, as he netted in a 3-0 victory over FC Basel in the Champions League. By November, Rashford had 12 goal contributions in just 16 games, without a single league start. His first Premier League start of the 2017/18 term would come at home to Liverpool in a memorable 2-1 victory. Rashford, rather predictably, scored both of United’s goals. Despite seemingly being overlooked by Mourinho, Rashford had become a fan favourite at his boyhood club and a World Cup call-up was beckoning.
Growing up in a single-parent family, Rashford has not hidden the fact that he, too, received free school meals as a child and recognises the importance they have to many families across the country. Thus, it comes as no surprise to understand where his determination has stemmed. Perhaps more surprising are his other off-field ventures. In 2019, Rashford paired up with Selfridge’s and launched ‘In-The-Box’, a campaign to distribute essential items to homeless people at Christmas. Moreover, after being invited to judge a poetry competition at a school for deaf children, the England star proceeded to learn sign language to talk with the students – and has promised to meet them once restrictions are eased.
Rashford returned from Euro 2016 to a new-look United side as José Mourinho tenure begun. 2016/17 saw Rashford consigned to the left-wing as marquee signing Zlatan Ibrahimović took the sole striker role. However, it didn’t stop the youngster from scoring at critical junctures throughout the season – goals against eventual champions Chelsea and a winner in the Europa League quarter-final clash against Anderlecht, to mention a few. In total, Rashford played 53 games in Mourinho’s first season at United, which ended with Rashford winning both a League Cup and Europa League winners’ medal.
The following season was marked by a sixth competition debut goal for Rashford, as he netted in a 3-0 victory over FC Basel in the Champions League. By November, Rashford had 12 goal contributions in just 16 games, without a single league start. His first Premier League start of the 2017/18 term would come at home to Liverpool in a memorable 2-1 victory. Rashford, rather predictably, scored both of United’s goals. Despite seemingly being overlooked by Mourinho, Rashford had become a fan favourite at his boyhood club and a World Cup call-up was beckoning.
Growing up in a single-parent family, Rashford has not hidden the fact that he, too, received free school meals as a child and recognises the importance they have to many families across the country. Thus, it comes as no surprise to understand where his determination has stemmed. Perhaps more surprising are his other off-field ventures. In 2019, Rashford paired up with Selfridge’s and launched ‘In-The-Box’, a campaign to distribute essential items to homeless people at Christmas. Moreover, after being invited to judge a poetry competition at a school for deaf children, the England star proceeded to learn sign language to talk with the students – and has promised to meet them once restrictions are eased.
Posted to his Intsagram, Rashford is pictured with bags full of essential items for the homeless.
The summer of 2018 was memorable for England, as Gareth Southgate’s young lions (including Rashford) reached a World Cup semi-final and united a country by hunting for football’s ultimate prize. Back at club level, however, the Wythenshawe-born Rashford picked up where left off, scoring crucial goals. And, in typical Rashford fashion of scoring on debuts, he marked manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s debut with the opening goal in a 5-1 thrashing of Cardiff City.
After making over 100 appearances for Manchester United – the second youngest player to reach this milestone after Ryan Giggs – Rashford was rewarded with a new contract to mark the start of the 2019/20 season. He returned the favour with a brace against Chelsea on the opening day. Despite a dip in form in September, Rashford scored to end Liverpool’s 17-game win streak and sparked a run of 16 goals in just 20 games. Unfortunately, the season looked to be over for Rashford following a stress fracture in an FA Cup game – which would have sidelined him for the now-postponed Euro 2020.
Arguably Rashford’s greatest achievement this season, or any other, is his successful campaign which convinced the government to reverse their decision regarding free school meals for vulnerable children over the summer holidays. Following the government announcement on June 15 that they would not be extending their scheme to cover free school meals, Rashford sent an open letter to all MPs asking them to reconsider their stance. After initially sticking by their decision, the government have since confirmed they will extend the scheme.
Footballers are forever an easy target. The stereotype of selfish, unintelligent and egotistical has dogged them time and time again. Rashford, however, has proven this to be false. Humble, honest and determined, Rashford’s attitude is a welcome breath of fresh air. His poignant letter is a stark reminder of the power that footballers have to change the world we live in. From receiver to provider of free school meals, Rashford is not just a credit to his family and his country, but also to the game we love. In a world where today’s news is forgotten tomorrow, Marcus Rashford will be remembered for generations to come for his efforts on, and off, the pitch.
After making over 100 appearances for Manchester United – the second youngest player to reach this milestone after Ryan Giggs – Rashford was rewarded with a new contract to mark the start of the 2019/20 season. He returned the favour with a brace against Chelsea on the opening day. Despite a dip in form in September, Rashford scored to end Liverpool’s 17-game win streak and sparked a run of 16 goals in just 20 games. Unfortunately, the season looked to be over for Rashford following a stress fracture in an FA Cup game – which would have sidelined him for the now-postponed Euro 2020.
Arguably Rashford’s greatest achievement this season, or any other, is his successful campaign which convinced the government to reverse their decision regarding free school meals for vulnerable children over the summer holidays. Following the government announcement on June 15 that they would not be extending their scheme to cover free school meals, Rashford sent an open letter to all MPs asking them to reconsider their stance. After initially sticking by their decision, the government have since confirmed they will extend the scheme.
Footballers are forever an easy target. The stereotype of selfish, unintelligent and egotistical has dogged them time and time again. Rashford, however, has proven this to be false. Humble, honest and determined, Rashford’s attitude is a welcome breath of fresh air. His poignant letter is a stark reminder of the power that footballers have to change the world we live in. From receiver to provider of free school meals, Rashford is not just a credit to his family and his country, but also to the game we love. In a world where today’s news is forgotten tomorrow, Marcus Rashford will be remembered for generations to come for his efforts on, and off, the pitch.
Written by - James McEvoy
Edited by - 3-At-The-Back
Edited by - 3-At-The-Back