Tom Goodenough Tom Goodenough

Marcus Rashford is a ‘campaigning footballer’, so why can’t we say so?

Marcus Rashford (Getty images)

Is Boris Johnson really Prime Minister? Or is Marcus Rashford? It’s not hard to see why some are confused. Whenever the Manchester United footballer has opened his mouth – not least on helping children who get free school meals during holidays – Boris has, often reluctantly, bowed to Rashford’s requests. Rashford’s latest project, a book club for underprivileged kids, has also been backed by Boris. But while Rashford is certainly doing well in enacting change, when it comes to scrutiny, some of Rashford’s legion of admirers are less keen on the attention given to their idol. 

‘What a result! Campaigning football star Marcus Rashford has bought five luxury homes worth more than £2million,’ said a headline in the Mail on Sunday at the weekend. The piece reported that Rashford had snapped up a number of houses on an estate in Wilmslow, Cheshire, as well as a house and flat in Macclesfield. 

It wasn’t long before a furious backlash erupted.

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