Marcus Rashford: The Player Born to Inspire

                The Premier League this season has been incredible with many stories to be be told. The rise of Arsenal, the downfall of Chelsea and the intense three-way title race between Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United,… all have made for an unforgettable season for fans. Among those stories, there is one that perhaps deserves more attention and cherish in the soccer fandom and that is the resurgence of Marcus Rashford, Man United’s current leading goalscorer with 14 goals in the league. 

              For many who haven’t watched that much action in the Premier League, Rashford’s stat might not seem very impressive considering there are other players above him in terms of goal scoring numbers. There is Erling Haaland with 27 goals so far this season which has already shattered all sorts of records in the Premier League. People are buzzing about Erling Haaland as the next heir to the Messi and Ronaldo dominance in soccer. So what makes Marcus Rashford so special at this moment considering his peers are shining as well? It is hard to believe but Marcus Rashford has defied all odds and came back after the disastrous 2021-2022 season. In that campaign, Rashford only scored a total of 4 goals in the whole season despite playing as a forward for Manchester United. Currently, he has  almost quadrupled the number of goals in just half of this season. The amount of misses that he accumulated is the stat that has people buzzing about him. It all started when Rashford missed a crucial penalty for England in the Euro Final which led to a mass condemnation of English fans. Racist chants and slurs were thrown at the 25 year-old player and that affected him both on and off the field. He was never the same prolific player ever since that final. Furthermore, Rashford was also a part of a mediocre Manchester United side with their own internal issues. In the previous season, The Red Devils only finished 6th, woefully short of their expectations and standards. Rashford even struggled with his personal life when there were rumours circulating that he had a fallout with his girlfriend; they might be on the verge of breaking up. It is safe to say that his confidence and mental well-being was at an all time low. 

            Nevertheless, if there’s anything to be admired about Marcus Rashford that never changes, it is the fact that he is one of the most charitable players in the history of the game. Many amazing stories about Rashford giving food to many orphans, providing poor kids shelter and support. Not to mention, he was one of the first players to speak up against the United Kingdom’s new policies that are more beneficial to the government rather than the lower class citizens. Despite his on field failure, he was able to cope with that by staying strong and supportive towards his local people. And, as they always say, “no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted”. That quote brings true to not only the people he has helped over the years but also Rashford himself as his act of kindness is rewarded for his amazing form.

          At the start of the 2022-2023 season, Manchester United went through a massive overhaul at management level as Erik Ten Hag, a multi-time Dutch champion with Ajax, came in and rebuilt the team. He brought a new style of coaching with more strict regulations and high demand for success. It boosted the team morale tremendously compared to last season, including Marcus Rashford who benefited the most among his teammates. His goal scoring streak was unstoppable, especially after the 2022 World Cup, as he has helped Manchester United to become a winning machine. Amazingly, Rashford is the most prolific player in the world after the World Cup, surpassing Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. On the other hand, he has also resolved issues with his long-term sweetheart and they’ve already engaged. One particular image that stood out during this run is Rashford’s new celebration after every goal. He simply pointed his index finger towards the side of his head as he was celebrating with the fans. In a recent interview, he revealed that this celebration is a symbol for mental health awareness and how he wants to inspire others to overcome mental illness just like he did. 

           That’s what makes Marcus Rashford’s story so compelling. He’s not a born superstar who is destined for greatness. Furthermore, he had suffered and went through a lot of hardships in his life whether it is his poor form or off field drama. But thanks to his perseverance, never give up attitude, he is able to bounce back and inspire children out there who are struggling in their life. Rashford is simply sensational