Marcus Rashford MBE
Forward · Manchester United · England
About Marcus Rashford MBE
Marcus Rashford burst onto the scene at Manchester United at 18, scoring a brace on his debut against Midtjylland in 2016. His journey has been one of football's most compelling — a Marcus who won hearts off the pitch with his campaign against child food poverty as much as he thrilled them on it with electric goals. His career has seen brilliant peaks and difficult periods, but at his best he is one of the most dangerous forwards in world football.
Marcus Rashford MBE's story
The Wythenshawe Kid
Rashford grew up in Wythenshawe, one of Manchester (ENG)'s most deprived areas, and joined United's academy at seven. His debut as a teenager against Midtjylland in the Europa League, scoring twice, announced him to the world. He was a first-team regular for both club and country within a year, and helped United win the Europa League the following season under Jose Mourinho.
The Making of a Forward
Rashford idolised Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney as a boy in United's academy, and has credited senior team-mates Robin van Persie and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, plus manager Jose Mourinho, with accelerating his development once he broke into the first team. He progressed through every England youth level before winning his first senior cap at 18, one of the fastest routes from academy prospect to full international in his generation at the club.
More Than a Footballer
Off the pitch, Rashford's impact has gone well beyond football. His 2020 campaign to extend free school meals through the school holidays forced a government U-turn and helped feed more than a million children, earning him an MBE and an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester. He has since sat on a national Child Food Poverty Task Force, backed Selfridges' 'In the Box' initiative and worked with chef Tom Kerridge on affordable family recipes, work recognised on the Sunday Times Giving List and with a FIFA Foundation Award.
Bronze in the Americas
For England, Rashford was part of the squad that reached the 2026 World Cup semi-finals, losing 1-2 to Argentina before beating France 6-4 in the third-place play-off. Back at United's Carrington training ground this pre-season, he has impressed club chiefs by mentoring academy prospects JJ Gabriel and Shea Lacey, a role that has strengthened his case to stay and rebuilt his relationship with manager Michael Carrick.
Did you know?
- ❤️ The MBE came in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in October 2020, awarded specifically for services to vulnerable children during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- 🏆 Across Manchester United and a title-winning loan at Barcelona, Rashford has won eight major honours, from the 2016 FA Cup as a teenager to the 2025-26 La Liga title.
- 👨👩👧 Born in Wythenshawe, south Manchester, the youngest of five siblings. His mother Melanie raised them largely alone and was a key inspiration for his free meals campaign; he remains very close to his family and community.
- 🥈 He was one of three England players to miss a penalty as Italy won the Euro 2020 final shootout; the wave of public support that followed became a defining moment in his relationship with fans.
- ⚽ Rashford scored on his senior England debut in 2016 aged 18, breaking a 78-year-old record then held by Tommy Lawton. Myles Lewis-Skelly went one better in 2025, scoring on his own debut a few months younger.
- 🎧 Off the pitch he describes himself as reserved rather than shy, saying he 'likes to listen' in unfamiliar settings, but says he becomes a different personality once he crosses the white line, driven by emotion and adrenaline.
- 👟 A self-described 'low-key sneakerhead' who keeps his trainers pristine, Rashford also has an extensive collection of tattoos with personal meaning, including his shirt numbers, birth details and the three lions.
- 🐾 He looks to the sky before matches as a personal tribute to his late grandmother, and says walking his dogs is how he clears his head away from football.
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