Solskjaer backs Rashford to become a future England & Manchester United captain
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has backed Marcus Rashford to be a future England captain after winning his battle to feed 1.3million under-privileged children.
Rashford persuaded Prime Minister Boris Johnson to make a u-turn over a decision to stop the free school meal voucher scheme over the summer holidays, and instead plough £120m into making sure it continued.
Solskjaer saluted the striker, who also raised £20m with food charity FareShare to feed vulnerable families during the coronavirus lockdown, and claimed that he could one day lead his country on the pitch after captaining United for the first time against Manchester City in January.
'He's obviously a top footballer but he's also a fantastic human being,' said the United boss. 'A future leader, a future captain maybe of England, Man United, who knows? He's already captained the team at the age of 22. We're really proud of him and his family must be so proud as well.
'As a club and me as manager it's been fantastic to follow Marcus throughout the lockdown period. Not only to get the Prime Minister to change his mind but also what he's done over the last few months.
'Marcus is such a top human being and has brought his own experiences as a kid into the conversation, and helped so many kids.
'What Marcus has done has been incredible with his family and his own personality. He has always been a great human being and coming up through the academy the club recognised that early on and gave him chances. He had the talent but you've got to have the personality as well.
'He's changed the lives of so many kids this summer which is more important than any game he'll ever play.
'Me at 22, of course I wouldn't be in a position to effect a change like this. I don't think Marcus is thinking about this politically or in any other way than helping people and kids. Deep inside he knows he's helped children with food and changing lives. That will make him feel good about himself as one of the top players in the country.'
Solskjaer believes that Rashford – who is set to play at Tottenham on Friday night after recovering from a double fracture in his back – has also helped change the perception of footballers with his actions.
'Footballers as a group they have been criticised a lot, even over the lockdown, but this lockdown period has made a change in the way people think about larger issues and given them a different perspective,' he added.
'But Marcus has always been a good lad and the changes he's made have been unbelievable.
'Footballers can be easy targets but we can effect things in a good way. If you can use your face in a good way then why not?'
Rashford persuaded Prime Minister Boris Johnson to make a u-turn over a decision to stop the free school meal voucher scheme over the summer holidays, and instead plough £120m into making sure it continued.
Solskjaer saluted the striker, who also raised £20m with food charity FareShare to feed vulnerable families during the coronavirus lockdown, and claimed that he could one day lead his country on the pitch after captaining United for the first time against Manchester City in January.
'He's obviously a top footballer but he's also a fantastic human being,' said the United boss. 'A future leader, a future captain maybe of England, Man United, who knows? He's already captained the team at the age of 22. We're really proud of him and his family must be so proud as well.
'As a club and me as manager it's been fantastic to follow Marcus throughout the lockdown period. Not only to get the Prime Minister to change his mind but also what he's done over the last few months.
'Marcus is such a top human being and has brought his own experiences as a kid into the conversation, and helped so many kids.
'What Marcus has done has been incredible with his family and his own personality. He has always been a great human being and coming up through the academy the club recognised that early on and gave him chances. He had the talent but you've got to have the personality as well.
'He's changed the lives of so many kids this summer which is more important than any game he'll ever play.
'Me at 22, of course I wouldn't be in a position to effect a change like this. I don't think Marcus is thinking about this politically or in any other way than helping people and kids. Deep inside he knows he's helped children with food and changing lives. That will make him feel good about himself as one of the top players in the country.'
Solskjaer believes that Rashford – who is set to play at Tottenham on Friday night after recovering from a double fracture in his back – has also helped change the perception of footballers with his actions.
'Footballers as a group they have been criticised a lot, even over the lockdown, but this lockdown period has made a change in the way people think about larger issues and given them a different perspective,' he added.
'But Marcus has always been a good lad and the changes he's made have been unbelievable.
'Footballers can be easy targets but we can effect things in a good way. If you can use your face in a good way then why not?'
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