Marcus Rashford – Social media falls over itself to praise striker after he forces Boris u-turn

James Fenton

Marcus Rashford is the toast of social media after the Manchester United striker persuaded the British government to extend its free school meal voucher scheme into the summer.

Over the past few days, you’ve probably seen the name Marcus Rashford trending more often than you would expect during a period when Premier League football is officially on a hiatus. However, the 22-year-old has been keeping busy by embarking on a one-man crusade to ensure that no child in the UK will be going hungry this summer.

Yesterday, Rashford published an open letter to MPs, writing ‘please reconsider your decision to cancel the food voucher scheme over the summer holiday period and guarantee the extension. This is England in 2020, and this is an issue that needs urgent assistance. Please, while the eyes of the nation are on you, make the U-turn and make protecting the lives of some of our most vulnerable a top priority.’

Prime Minister Boris Johnson initially refused to back down but Rashford was not to be outdone, writing a piece which featured in The Times this morning. It has now emerged that the government has agreed to the u-turn and will spend an extra £120m to be spent on extending vouchers through the summer holidays.

Mission accomplished for Rashford and since the news was announced, people have been falling over themselves in praise of the generous striker…

Sorry to state the obvious but the more you think about what Marcus Rashford has done in the last 24 hours (and before) the more extraordinary it is. Eloquent, gritty and determined, and achieved real change. Incredible achievement for an incredible man. pic.twitter.com/kBGLrARjpm

— Ralf Little 💙 (@RalfLittle) June 16, 2020

This is fantastic news! Well done Marcus Rashford 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/SyWe9J0OLu

— Gemma Atkinson (@MissGAtkinson) June 16, 2020

https://twitter.com/nicolacoughlan/status/1272868871482093568

Marcus Rashford 🙌

• Raised £20 million to help supply 3 million meals to children.

• Began a campaign to help homeless people.

• Learned sign language to judge a poetry event in a deaf school.

• Persuaded the government to provide free school meals for children. pic.twitter.com/R7z743OpY7

— GOAL (@goal) June 16, 2020

Have a little think back to what you were doing at 22. Wow. @MarcusRashford, you absolute hero. Could not be prouder 👑

— Scott Patterson (@R_o_M) June 16, 2020

Regardless of who you support Marcus Rashford feeding millions of kids is the biggest football story this year. Nothing can surpass it.

— Jay Motty (@JayMotty) June 16, 2020

If I were @MarcusRashford’s mum, I’d get a T-shirt printed screaming: “I’M MARCUS RASHFORD’S MUM” as I simply wouldn’t be able to contain my pride.

— Jacqui Oatley (@JacquiOatley) June 16, 2020