The campaigner who forced a government U-turn on free school meals — and a United player of two very different periods.
Marcus Rashford was born in Wythenshawe, Manchester in 1997. Manchester United's academy produced him and he scored on his debut against Arsenal at 18. His early career produced consistent excellence and the Europa League in 2017. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 he ran a public campaign to extend the UK government's free school meals programme during school holidays — the government initially refused, reversed under public pressure within 24 hours, and continued the programme. The campaign directly fed 1.7 million children. He was awarded an MBE aged 22. He scored 30 goals in 2022-23 — his finest individual season. A subsequent drop in form and an ankle injury disrupted his 2023-24 campaign significantly. He represented England in three major tournaments. His combination of pace, directness and the composure to finish in one-on-one situations made him the most naturally gifted forward to emerge from United's academy in a generation. His off-pitch humanitarian impact made him one of the most socially significant British athletes of the decade.
Europa League (2017)
Career Honours
- Europa League (2017)
- League Cup (2023)
- FA Cup (2016)
- EFL Cup 2x