10/28/20 - A HISTORIC DAY FOR MARCUS RASHFORD
Marcus Rashford: A superhero on the pitch for Manchester United & a superhero off the pitch for struggling UK families
Marcus Rashford played a massive role in Manchester United's big 5-0 Champions league win on Wednesday against RB Leipzig, Bundes Liga's new boys on the block. Though he started this group stage match up on the bench, Rashford was the star of the show when he scored a hat-trick after coming on in the 63' minute.
This big win put United to the top of Group H, this year's "group of death." United sits on six points in the table, looking down upon French Champions PSG, RB Leipzig and hungry Turkish side Instanbul Basaksehir.
Rashford has been bossing it in all competitions this seasons, playing a part in four goals (2 goals; 2 assists) of Manchester United's five matches in the 2020-'21 Premier League campaign. United currently sit in 15th place this season, the lowest of the Prem's "big six" clubs. Thankfully for United, the Manchester native's performances in the Champions League outshine the clubs domestic woes, as he's netted four goals in two games on Europe's biggest stage.
The same day he scored his hat-trick, Rashford's petition calling for English parliament to take a stand on combating childhood hunger reached over a million signatures. Rashford's proposal calls for the British government to provide meals for children of poor families which typically rely on school lunches to stay fed.
This proposal is a "do better" statement shouted directly at the United Kingdom's government, who says they already have "effective measures" in place to support families (CNN).
Rashford took to twitter after the game against Leipzig to share his excitement, tweeting: "3, goals 16 minutes, 1,030,000 signatures. Can't stop smiling, I've waited a long time for that. Just wish the fans were here to experience it with me."
The football star has been causing turbulent waves for the U.K. government for quite some time now. In July earlier this year, the 22 year-old convinced the government to reverse a decision in which they would cut school meals during summer holidays for U.K. schools (NBC).
"I know the feeling," Rashford stated when previously opening up about how he relied on school meals. "I remember the sound of my mum crying herself to sleep this day, having worked a 14-hour shift, unsure how she was going to make ends meet. That was my reality" (The Guardian).
Leeds United and Liverpool, both historic rivals of the Manchester club, have recently given support to his campaign. Leeds donated thousands of British pounds this week, pledging to stand "united" in helping feed vulnerable children across the U.K. Jurgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool, has described Rashford's campaign as "absolutely incredible."
Rashford is quickly becoming a real life superhero, with the Manchester United crest on the left side of his chest and an MBE (Member of the British Empire) medal from the Queen of England around his neck. Rashford earned this prestigious award in the Queen Elizabeth's birthday honor list, an annual event which was postponed in June due to COVID-19.
Marcus Rashford, who is an idol in the eyes of every young Manchester United fan for what he does on the pitch, is quickly becoming a star in the eyes of everyone else because of what he's doing off of it. Most importantly, young fans soon won't have to go to bed on an empty stomach, as he fights for them to not face the same struggles that him and his family once faced.
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