Ferguson, Rooney praise Rashford for fighting child food poverty

Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney praise Marcus Rashford for his role in tackling child food poverty in England amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Published : Jan 15, 2021 09:22 IST

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford looks on during a Premier League contest against Burnley at Turf Moor on January 12. - GETTY IMAGES
Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford looks on during a Premier League contest against Burnley at Turf Moor on January 12. - GETTY IMAGES
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Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford looks on during a Premier League contest against Burnley at Turf Moor on January 12. - GETTY IMAGES

Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and the club’s top scorer Wayne Rooney have paid tribute to Marcus Rashford for the forward’s role in tackling child food poverty in England amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rashford, 23, has been at the forefront of a campaign to end child food poverty, using his status to successfully lobby the British government to continue providing free school meals during the holidays. He was also awarded an MBE for services to vulnerable children amid the COVID-19 crisis.

“What he has achieved in the last few months is quite astonishing,” Ferguson, who led United to 13 Premier League titles, told the Football Writers’ Association after it named Rashford the winner of its annual Tribute Award on Thursday.

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“How he has helped the people in need is a truly amazing achievement. I would like to congratulate him on that. He has shown to young people, in particular, there is a different way of dealing with life.”

'Huge achievement'

Rooney, now interim manager at second-tier Derby County, echoed Ferguson’s comments, saying the work Rashford did in challenging the government was “unbelievable.”

“It’s a big issue and a tough time for everyone, so for him to get that campaign up and running and (organise) free meals for the children is massive,” Rooney added.

“It has needed the backing of someone like Rashford to get behind that and make sure the kids know, whatever happens, they won’t go hungry. It’s incredible and I think it’s a huge achievement for him.”

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