13 Jul 2021 06:59:15
Thought I'd post the Marcus Rashford statement as it's an impressive piece of writing.

"I don't even know where to start and I don't even know how to put into words how I'm feeling at this exact time. I've had a difficult season, I think that's been clear for everyone to see and I probably went into that final with a lack of confidence. I've always backed myself for a penalty but something didn't feel quite right. During the long run up I was saving myself a bit of time and unfortunately the result was not what I wanted.

“I felt as though I had let my team-mates down. I felt as if I'd let everyone down. A penalty was all I'd been asked to contribute for the team. I can penalties in my sleep so why not that one? It's been playing in my head over and over since I struck the ball and there's probably not a word to quite describe how it feels. Final. 55 years. 1 penalty. History. All I can say is sorry.

“I wish it had of gone differently. Whilst I continue to say sorry I want to shoot out my team-mates. This summer has been one of the best camps I've experienced and you've all played a role in that. A brotherhood has been built that is unbreakable. Your success is my success. Your failures are mine.

“I've grown into a sport where I expect to read things written about myself. Whether it be the colour of my skin, where I grew up, or, most recently, how I decide to spend my time off the pitch. I can take critique of my performance all day long, my penalty was not good enough, it should have gone in, but I will never apologise for who I am and where I came from.

“I've felt no prouder moment than wearing those three lions on my chest and seeing my family cheer me on in a crowd of 10s of thousands. I dreamt of days like this.

Fans show their love for Marcus at his muralvideo
“The messages I've received today have been positively overwhelming and seeing the response in Withington had me on the verge of tears. The communities that always wrapped their arms around me continue to hold me up. I'm Marcus Rashford, 23-year-old black man from Withington and Wythenshawe, South Manchester. If I have nothing else I have that.

“For all the kind messages, thank you. I'll be back strong. We'll be back stronger. ”.

1.) 13 Jul 2021
13 Jul 2021 08:52:57
The guy is an inspiration, many footballers have fantastic ability, some have a great attitude, a few keep their humility and remember where they are from. Then there are players like Rashford, who is all of those but still strives to be more and give more. Getting himself out of those desperate situations that some unfortunate people are born into isn't enough for him, he wants to pull as many of those people out of those situations as he can.

the guy is a national treasure at a mere 23 years old. If our kids grow up to be half the man Rashford is I think we could all be very proud.

2.) 13 Jul 2021
13 Jul 2021 10:00:28
He is an excellent human being and every fan should be proud that he is associated with our club.

{Ed014's Note - it was great to see the tributes at his mural after it was mindlessly defaced.

3.) 13 Jul 2021
13 Jul 2021 10:09:21
Bang on shappy and caolan.
No issue with anybody giving his football game criticism. I'm happy to debate that with anybody i think he is a very good player, but to question him for his charity work is something I don't see how anybody can not be proud of what he has done and the way he had done it.

4.) 13 Jul 2021
13 Jul 2021 11:14:26
An amazing man, I was actually very emotional reading it, I tried to read some of it to my wife and was struggling without welling up.
Some people on here and in the wider world need to take a long hard look at themselves.

5.) 13 Jul 2021
13 Jul 2021 13:38:53
We want footballers to be role models and set a good example to kids everywhere, he does it and gets slated. He’s a gem in every way and as a united fan I’m proud of him and will defend him to anyone.

6.) 13 Jul 2021
13 Jul 2021 14:00:48
A stand up person, an incredible human being.

I could give a toss about his footballing abilities, he is affecting people's lives with his actions. I haven't the words to describe the kind of person he is.

7.) 13 Jul 2021
13 Jul 2021 13:11:04
Exactly Ken, it's like he said in his statement. He will apologise for missing and if he doesn't perform, but no person on this earth should have to apologise for their skin colour.

GDS I was the same. Softening up now I have my own family lol.

Ed the mural was great to see, goes to show there are still some good people out there and that it really is a minority of idiots.

8.) 13 Jul 2021
13 Jul 2021 17:40:09
Honestly, I don't understand writing something like that. If I understood correctly, he doesn't apologies for his skin colour? Imo, its nonsense, its just building up on the racism, which I think has nothing to do with this.

Before anyone jumps at my throat, I'd like to explain.

I read a lot of comments these few days, and not one was racist and most people doesn't blame Rashford (or Sancho or Saka) . I don't think this is a place where you write something like that, when no one accuses you of your skin colour.

Ofcourse, since I'm not from England (or nearby), I don't really know if there were racist comments there, blaming those 3 players for his skin. If there were, I'm sorry, ignore this comment.

Not everything has to be about racism. They just missed the penalty. End of story. I was perhaps only one, in my group of friends, cheering for England in the final. I couldn't care less if a black man or white man missed it. I was more mad at Southgate than anyone else. I was more mad that England let Italy score from the set piece, next to so much defensive and tall players. I had the feeling Italy wouldn't score for two days from open play. Anyway, that's about it, once again, I just want to say that not everything has to be about racism.

9.) 13 Jul 2021
13 Jul 2021 18:06:08
Trololo,

You’ve entirely missed the point I think, there was a lot of racist abuse on social media after the game on Sunday, like there is every time any black player does something. It’s pathetic and Rashford’s statement makes perfect sense and it 100% needs to be brought to people’s attention. Everything doesn’t have to be about racism, unfortunately until nothing is about racism then it should a always be talked about.

10.) 13 Jul 2021
13 Jul 2021 19:22:50
Completely agree with GDS, read some of the abuse they suffered on social media which was directed squarely at their skin colour.
Racism is still present in society, its not as open and as bad as in the 70s and 80s but its still there and its up to each generation to work to eradicated it.
We need more Rashford's in this world and less certain Manchester Estate Agents.

11.) 13 Jul 2021
13 Jul 2021 20:23:25
I feel sorry then, I didn't see comments like that.

GDS I do understand what you are talking about, but there has to be some balance. Perhaps I just don't feel it, since skin colour is irrelevant to me.

12.) 13 Jul 2021
13 Jul 2021 22:04:37
What these young black footballers face and have faced for a long time isn't just overt racism. The media have long reported on them with a different tone. There will be a different spin on a story when a young black lad gets in trouble than a young white lad. Remember prior to the WC and Sterling's tattoo. That story went out to link it to Jamaican Yardies, London county lines and Gun crime.

It's not enough to simply not use hateful racist words, but to really understand the underlying and sinister at times basic difference in attitude to one person solely because of their colour.

In the media, whether it be a pundit or a paper or even online I have seen even in 2021 attitudes to a black player that I don't believe would be applied to a white player.

13.) 13 Jul 2021
13 Jul 2021 23:13:47
Trololo,

I still think you’re missing the point saying skin colour is irrelevant to you, it’s irrelevant to me also but until it’s irrelevant to everyone it’s a major issue that needs to be talked about and discussed.