Marcus Rashford

Quick facts for kids
Marcus Rashford
MBE

Rashford with England in 2023
Personal information
Full name	Marcus Rashford
Date of birth	(1997-10-31) 31 October 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth	Manchester, England
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Barcelona (on loan from Manchester United)
Number	14
Youth career
2003–2005	Fletcher Moss Rangers
2005–2015	Manchester United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2015–	Manchester United	287	(87)
2025	→ Aston Villa (loan)	10	(2)
2025–	→ Barcelona (loan)	8	(1)
International career‡
2012	England U16	2	(0)
2014	England U18	2	(0)
2016	England U20	2	(0)
2016	England U21	1	(3)
2016–	England	64	(18)
Medal record Men's football Representing  England UEFA European Championship Runner-up 2020 UEFA Nations League Third 2019
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:47, 7 October 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:10, 7 October 2025 (UTC)

Marcus Rashford (born 31 October 1997) is a talented English footballer. He plays as a forward for Barcelona in Spain. He is currently on loan from Manchester United. Marcus also plays for the England national team.

He joined Manchester United's youth team when he was just seven years old. When he was 18, Marcus made an amazing start. He scored two goals in his very first game for the senior team in February 2016. He also scored two goals in his first Premier League game just three days later! He has won several trophies with Manchester United, including two FA Cups and the UEFA Europa League.

Marcus also made his debut for England in May 2016, scoring a goal. He became the youngest English player to score in his first senior international match. He has played for England in major tournaments like the European Championships in 2016 and 2020. He also played in the World Cup and 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Beyond football, Marcus Rashford is known for helping others. He uses his fame to speak up about important issues. He has worked hard to fight against racism, people not having homes, and children not having enough food in the UK. Many groups have recognized his efforts, and there's even a special mural of him in Manchester.

Early Life and Football Dreams

Marcus Rashford was born in Manchester, England, on October 31, 1997. He grew up in different parts of the city. His family has roots in Jamaica and Saint Kitts.

Marcus came from a family where his mother, Melanie Maynard, worked very hard. She often had several jobs to make sure her children had enough to eat. Marcus has four older brothers and sisters.

From a young age, Marcus loved Manchester United. He supported them even though some of his family cheered for their rivals, Manchester City. He went to Ashton-on-Mersey School, which was near United's training ground. There, he studied sports.

Club Career Highlights

Starting Young at Manchester United

Marcus began playing football at age five for Fletcher Moss Rangers. He even started as a goalkeeper! Scouts quickly noticed his amazing talent.

At seven, he joined the Manchester United academy. His brothers helped him choose United over other big clubs. Getting to training was sometimes hard for Marcus. His coaches helped arrange rides for him.

When he was 11, Marcus became the youngest player chosen for a special United youth program. He played with older, more experienced players like Paul Pogba. This helped him improve his skills very quickly.

By age 16, Marcus was already training with United's first team. Coaches saw him as a future star. In 2015, he became captain of the Under-19s team. He was seen as a natural leader.

Manchester United Debut and Success

Debut Season (2015–2016)

Rashford warming up for Manchester United in 2016

Marcus made his big debut for Manchester United in February 2016. He scored two goals in his first European game! Just three days later, he scored two more goals in his first Premier League match. He became United's youngest scorer in European games.

He also scored the winning goal in his first Manchester derby against Manchester City. This made him the youngest scorer in that rivalry. Marcus helped United win the FA Cup in 2016. He was named the club's Young Player of the Year. He signed a new contract with United in May 2016.

First-Team Success (2016–2017)

Rashford lining up for Manchester United in 2016

For the 2016–17 season, Marcus received the number 19 shirt. He played alongside famous striker Zlatan Ibrahimović. Marcus scored his first goal of the season in August 2016.

He helped United win the EFL Cup in February 2017. Marcus also played a key role in United winning the UEFA Europa League that season. This was his first European trophy. He played in 53 games, more than any other United player that season.

Continued Growth (2017–2018)

Rashford warming up for Manchester United in 2017

Marcus continued to shine in the 2017–18 season. He scored in his UEFA Champions League debut against Basel. This was the sixth competition he had scored in on his debut!

He scored two goals in a big win against rivals Liverpool in March 2018. His manager, José Mourinho, said Marcus was chosen for almost every match. This showed how important he was to the team.

Wearing the Number 10 (2018–2019)

Before the 2018–19 season, Marcus was given the famous number 10 shirt. This shirt had been worn by club legends like Wayne Rooney. He scored his first goal of the season in September 2018.

Under new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Marcus's performance improved greatly. Solskjær believed Marcus could become one of the best strikers in the world. In January 2019, he scored in three league games in a row. He became the youngest United player to do this since Rooney. He also won the Premier League Player of the Month award.

Marcus scored a crucial penalty against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. This helped United reach the quarter-finals.

Overcoming Injuries (2019–2021)

In July 2019, Marcus signed a new contract with United. He started the season strong, scoring two goals against Chelsea. He had his best goalscoring run yet, with 16 goals in 20 games.

However, he suffered a back injury in January 2020. This kept him out of action for several months. The season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When football returned, Marcus was fit to play again. He scored his 17th league goal of the season, matching his best record.

In the 2020–21 season, Marcus scored his first hat-trick for United. This happened in a Champions League game against RB Leipzig. He also became the third youngest United player to score 50 Premier League goals. He played his 250th game for the club in February 2021. Marcus had shoulder, back, and foot injuries during this time. He had surgery on his shoulder after the Euro 2020 tournament.

Return and 100th Goal (2021–2023)

Rashford after a Manchester United match in 2022

Marcus returned to training in October 2021. He scored a goal in his first game back. In January 2022, he scored a winning goal in the 93rd minute against West Ham United. This meant he had scored more last-minute winners in Premier League history than any other player.

The 2022–23 season was fantastic for Marcus. He scored his 100th goal for United in October 2022. He was the first player to reach this milestone for United in 13 years. He scored 30 goals that season, the first United player to do so since 2013. He helped United win the EFL Cup in February 2023. Fans and players voted him the best player of the year for the club.

Recent Seasons and Loans (2023–2025)

In July 2023, Marcus signed a new contract with United until 2028. He faced some challenges during the 2023–24 season. He won his second FA Cup with United in May 2024.

In October 2024, United changed managers. Marcus scored in the new manager's first game. However, he was left out of some matches in December 2024 and January 2025. His manager said he wanted players who gave their maximum effort every day.

In February 2025, Marcus joined Aston Villa on loan for the rest of the season. He scored his first two goals for Villa in the FA Cup in March. He also scored his first league goal for them.

In July 2025, Marcus moved to Spain. He joined La Liga team Barcelona on a season-long loan. He made his debut for Barcelona in August. In September 2025, he scored his first two goals for Barcelona in a Champions League game. He scored his first league goal for Barcelona in October 2025.

International Career

Youth Team Experience

In 2012, Marcus was invited to train with the England Under-16 team. He played two games for them. Coaches at Manchester United wanted him to develop at his own pace.

In 2016, after his senior debut for United, Marcus played for the England Under-20 team. He then joined the England Under-21 team. In his only game for the Under-21s, he scored three goals! His manager, Gareth Southgate, praised Marcus for being humble and playing for the younger team.

Playing for England's Senior Team

First Major Tournaments (2016–2018)

Rashford playing for England at the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Marcus's great performances for United led to him being called up for the England squad for UEFA Euro 2016. He made his England debut in May 2016. He scored a goal after just three minutes, becoming the youngest Englishman to score on his international debut.

At Euro 2016, he became England's youngest ever player in a European Championship. He also played for England in the World Cup. He scored in a penalty shootout against Colombia, helping England reach the quarter-finals. England finished fourth, their best result since 1990.

European Finalist (2018–2021)

Rashford playing for England at the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Marcus continued to score important goals for England. He helped England qualify for the Nations League finals in 2019. He also scored in England's qualification games for Euro 2020.

In June 2021, Marcus was captain for England for the first time. He scored a penalty in a 1–0 win against Romania. He was part of the squad for Euro 2020. In the final against Italy, he took a penalty in the shootout, but it hit the post. After the game, he received some unkind messages online. However, people quickly showed him huge support. A mural of him in Manchester was restored with messages of love and encouragement.

World Cup Goals (2021–Present)

Rashford playing for England at the 2022 FIFA World Cup

After recovering from shoulder surgery, Marcus returned to the England squad. He was chosen for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. In England's first game, he came on as a substitute and scored within a minute!

In England's final group game against Wales, Marcus scored two goals. This helped England win 3–0 and move to the knockout stage. His second goal was England's 100th goal in all World Cups. He was praised for his great progress. Marcus was not included in the preliminary England squad for the Euro 2024 tournament.

Player Profile

How Marcus Plays Football

Marcus Rashford can play as a centre forward (main striker) or a winger (on the side of the field). He prefers playing on the left wing. This lets him cut inside and shoot with his strong right foot. He also likes to drop back to get the ball and start attacks.

His youth coaches helped him become a great striker. They taught him how to make smart runs behind defenders. Marcus is known for being fast and direct. He constantly challenges defenders with his movement.

His former manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, helped him improve as a player. Marcus is also known for his excellent dribbling and "ruthless" finishing. He can score many different types of goals. Marcus often takes penalties and free kicks for his team. He sometimes uses a special "knuckleball" technique for free kicks.

What Makes Him Special

Marcus's success comes from his strong drive and ambition. He is seen as a role model for younger players. He learned a lot by watching former United striker Robin van Persie. He also looked up to players like David Beckham and Paul Scholes.

His former teammates and coaches describe him as professional and mature. They say he has the qualities to be a team captain. Marcus has also said that Zlatan Ibrahimović and José Mourinho helped him become mentally stronger. He is known as a "big game player" because he performs well in important matches.

Comparisons and Inspirations

Many people compare Marcus to legendary striker Thierry Henry. His first senior manager, Louis van Gaal, said Marcus's early performances were like those of Patrick Kluivert. Current United manager Erik ten Hag has compared him to Kylian Mbappé.

Growing up, Marcus admired Brazilian striker Ronaldo. He watched many of his games and loved how Ronaldo played freely. Marcus also looked up to Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney at Manchester United. He credits Rooney with helping him mature. Marcus is always studying other great players like Lionel Messi to improve his own game.

His Goal Celebration

After scoring a goal, Marcus often points to his temple. This celebration shows focus and mental strength. Many other athletes, like tennis player Novak Djokovic, have copied this celebration.

Helping Others and Making a Difference

Fighting Food Poverty

In 2019, Marcus started the In the Box campaign. He worked with Selfridges to give essential items to people without homes during Christmas. He even visited shelters to hand out boxes himself.

In March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Marcus teamed up with FareShare. This charity helps fight poverty and food waste. He wanted to make sure children who usually received free school meals still got food. His efforts quickly raised over £20 million. This helped provide millions of meals for children across the country.

In June 2020, Marcus wrote an open letter to the UK government. He asked them to help end child poverty. The government then changed its policy to extend free school meals during the summer holidays. Marcus was very proud of this achievement. He then set up the Child Food Poverty Task Force. This group worked with food shops, charities, and delivery companies.

In October 2020, Marcus started a petition to end child food poverty. It asked for more free school meals and help during school holidays. The petition quickly received over a million signatures. Many businesses and local councils joined his campaign. In November 2020, the government announced nearly £400 million in funding to help poor families.

In January 2021, Marcus spoke out about poor quality food packages given to families. This led to a review by the government. In April 2021, Marcus and chef Tom Kerridge launched a series of recipes. These simple recipes helped families cook healthy meals at home.

Universal Credit Campaigning

In October 2020, Marcus also spoke to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak. He asked for a permanent increase in Universal Credit. This is money given to families who need help. He was worried that many families would struggle if the temporary increase was removed.

Awards and Recognition

Marcus's charity work brought him much praise. In July 2020, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester. This was for his work to end child poverty. He became the youngest person to receive this award from the university.

In October 2020, Marcus was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). He also received the City of Manchester Award. He won the Special Recognition award at the 2020 Pride of Britain Awards. A local artist created a mural of him in Manchester.

He was named Campaigner Of The Year by GQ magazine. He also received a special award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards. In December 2020, he won the first-ever FIFA Foundation Award. He was also included in the Powerlist of the 100 most influential Black Britons.

In January 2021, Marcus was named The Guardian Footballer of the Year. He also received the Football Writers' Association's (FWA) Tribute Award. Time magazine included him in their 100 Next list. Forbes magazine also featured him in their 30 Under 30 list for Europe. In 2023, he was ranked 42nd on the New Statesman Left Power List.

Promoting Reading

For World Book Day in 2020, Marcus supported a campaign to share a million stories. He also helped judge a poetry competition for children with hearing problems.

In November 2020, he teamed up with Macmillan Publishers to start a book club. This club helps children from less fortunate backgrounds enjoy reading. Marcus believes reading should be available to everyone. In 2022, his motivational children's book, You Are A Champion, won Book of the Year at the British Book Awards. The book club aims to give away 50,000 books for free.

Personal Life

In May 2022, Marcus announced his engagement to his girlfriend, Lucia Loi. They had met in school. However, they separated in June 2023.

Marcus is Christian. He has spoken about how his faith and his mother's values have guided him. He enjoys playing PlayStation games and listening to rap music. He owns a Cane Corso dog. In 2023, Nike released special Marcus Rashford football boots.

Career statistics

Club

International

England score listed first, score column indicates score after each Rashford goal

List of international goals scored by Marcus Rashford

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition	Ref.
1	27 May 2016	Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England	1	Australia	1–0	2–1	Friendly
2	4 September 2017	Wembley Stadium, London, England	11	Slovakia	2–1	2–1	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
3	7 June 2018	Elland Road, Leeds, England	19	Costa Rica	1–0	2–0	Friendly
4	8 September 2018	Wembley Stadium, London, England	26	Spain	1–0	1–2	2018–19 UEFA Nations League A
5	11 September 2018	King Power Stadium, Leicester, England	27	Switzerland	1–0	1–0	Friendly
6	15 October 2018	Estadio Benito Villamarín, Seville, Spain	29	Spain	2–0	3–2	2018–19 UEFA Nations League A
7	6 June 2019	Estádio D. Afonso Henriques, Guimarães, Portugal	32	Netherlands	1–0	1–3 (aet)	2019 UEFA Nations League Finals
8	14 October 2019	Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria	36	Bulgaria	1–0	6–0	UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying
9	14 November 2019	Wembley Stadium, London, England	37	Montenegro	4–0	7–0	UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying
10	17 November 2019	Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina, Kosovo	38	Kosovo	3–0	4–0	UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying
11	11 October 2020	Wembley Stadium, London, England	39	Belgium	1–1	2–1	2020–21 UEFA Nations League A
12	6 June 2021	Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, England	41	Romania	1–0	1–0	Friendly
13	21 November 2022	Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar	47	Iran	5–1	6–2	2022 FIFA World Cup
14	29 November 2022	Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar	49	Wales	1–0	3–0	2022 FIFA World Cup
15					3–0
16	19 June 2023	Old Trafford, Manchester, England	53	Macedonia	3–0	7–0	UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
17	17 October 2023	Wembley Stadium, London, England	57	Italy	2–1	3–1	UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
18	9 September 2025	Red Star Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia	64	Serbia	5–0	5–0	2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Manchester United

• FA Cup: 2015–16, 2023–24; runner-up: 2017–18, 2022–23
• EFL Cup: 2016–17, 2022–23
• FA Community Shield: 2016
• UEFA Europa League: 2016–17; runner-up: 2020–21

England

• UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2020
• UEFA Nations League third place: 2018–19

Individual

• Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year: 2015–16
• Premier League Player of the Month: January 2019, September 2022, January 2023, February 2023
• Premier League Goal of the Month: March 2024
• PFA Premier League Fans' Player of the Year: 2022–23
• PFA Premier League Fans' Player of the Month: December 2019, February 2023
• PFA Community Champion Award: 2019–20
• Premier League Academy Graduate of the Year Award: 2019–20
• UEFA Europa League Team of the Season: 2019–20, 2022–23
• UEFA Europa League top scorer: 2022–23
• Manchester United Goal of the Season: 2019–20 (vs. Chelsea, 30 October 2019)
• Manchester United Players' Player of the Year: 2022–23
• Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year: 2022–23
• PFA Merit Award: 2020
• FIFA Foundation Award: 2020
• The Guardian Footballer of the Year: 2020
• FWA Tribute Award: 2020
• FIFPro Merit Award: 2020
• Time 100 Next: 2021
• Pat Tillman Award for Service: 2021

Orders and special awards

• Member of the Order of the British Empire: 2020
• Campaigner Of The Year in the 2020 GQ Men Of The Year
• Expert Panel Special Award in the 2020 BBC Sports Personality of the Year
• Lockdown Heroes (Special Recognition) in the 2020 FSA Awards
• Honorary Doctorate Degree from the University of Manchester, October 2021

Interesting Facts About Marcus Rashford

• Marcus's birthday is on Halloween.
• As a child, he watched tricks on soccer video games and copied them. Now he is a character in the video game series FIFA.
• His two brothers help him with his business decisions.
• He has beaten many soccer records.
• In 2016, Marcus became the youngest player to score in a European competition. He was 18.
• Marcus learned a bit of sign language. He did this when he was asked to be a judge in a poetry competition at a school for children with hearing loss.

Marcus Rashford Quotes

• "For me, sometimes it’s more important to perform well in training and know that I am improving rather than scoring in a game. It’s doing the hard work, day in, day out."
• "I learn something new every game. Every game is always different, no matter how you try and think about it beforehand."
• "Political affiliations aside, can we not all agree that no child should be going to bed hungry?"
• "These children matter… And as long as they don’t have a voice they will have mine."

See also

In Spanish: Marcus Rashford para niños