Leading by Example,How Marcus Rashford is inspiring the next Generation of Reds

So much attention is paid to Marcus Rashford’s Manchester United career and what he can achieve in the future, but very little is said about the incredible impact he has had off the pitch.

Our popular Academy graduate made his first-team debut at Old Trafford in February 2016 and now has 133 appearances, 33 goals and four trophies etched onto his club record.

On the international front, with England, he has also already amassed 29 caps, scored six goals and featured in two major tournaments: the 2016 European Championship and 2018 World Cup.

Today is his 21st birthday and many of his contemporaries from recent United history – Eric Cantona, Andy Cole, Ruud van Nistelrooy – could not boast such feats at this stage of their now iconic careers.

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That must be remembered when the next unnecessary discussion about his development crops up.

Yet there is another side to Marcus Rashford’s story which often goes without appropriate attention.

We saw it first-hand when visiting the Manchester United Foundation’s Street Reds project in Wythenshawe, which offers free football sessions to local youngsters from Monday to Friday night.

Marcus used to attend those sessions when he was growing up, with a dream to become a professional footballer for his beloved United. Although the initiative is not designed to develop young players for the club, his success has undoubtedly inspired the next generation of participants.

Amy was among the girls taking part when I attended a Street Reds session earlier this month and, as a pupil of the nearby Button Lane Primary School, which proudly counts Rashford among its graduates, she has a very personal connection to the homegrown hero.

“It makes me feel proud that he went to the same school and Street Reds project,” Amy told me after training. “He was on this pitch and I play on this pitch too. It makes me feel special.”

The young supporters in Wythenshawe did not talk about the rewards that Rashford enjoys from playing professional football, which are so often unfairly highlighted in the media.

Instead, they all spoke with wide eyes about their idol’s honesty on the pitch, his continued work ethic and consistent acts of sportsmanship; traits which can guide them to success in any walk of life.

The message there was clear: behave like Marcus Rashford and good things will happen, whether that is in football, education, industry or whichever route their lives decide to follow.

That impact cannot be underestimated and, for that, our no.10 deserves tremendous praise.

Happy birthday, Marcus Rashford.

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