Rashford recognised at FIFA's The Best ceremony

When football was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, our homegrown hero put his time to good use by successfully lobbying the UK government to provide free school meals to those in need. 

With the help of businesses and other supporters, including the Manchester United Foundation, Rashford has helped millions of children so far and he is determined to keep helping others. 

During a virtual ceremony for FIFA’s The Best awards on Thursday evening, Marcus was given the FIFA Foundation prize “for his outstanding efforts and humanitarian work to combat child poverty”.

FIFA has also made a financial contribution of $100,000 to support his cause and, although Rashford was busy preparing for our Premier League match at Sheffield United, the Academy graduate showed his gratitude in a pre-recorded interview that was streamed in the virtual ceremony. 

“I’d just like to say thank you because I know people from other countries, they want to get involved and they want to learn and understand more about it,” said the United striker.

“It will have a knock-on effect because things will start to happen in other countries as well. I have had messages from other players who play in different leagues and they want to do a similar thing for their country.

“For me, it is brilliant and it is why I started it. I wanted to make change and to give people a better chance at life. It is having a good impact and it is working at the end of the day.

“The kids are looking forward instead of behind, they have got their heads up instead and down, so thank you very much.”

As well as a top award, Rashford also claimed two goals on Thursday night as the Reds beat Sheffield United 3-2 at Bramall Lane.

Not a bad evening, all in all.