A well-deserved honour.
Marcus Rashford became the youngest person to ever receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester yesterday, aged just 23.
The fan-favourite footballer, who plays for Manchester United, made headlines during the pandemic after calling on the government in an open letter to retain school meals for children – helping to feed vulnerable families as the schools remain closed. The call-out was successful and resulted in the government making a rare and dramatic U-turn on the matter. Rashford has also teamed up with food charity FareShare, helping to raise vital funds (£20m, to be precise) to feed families in need when the country went into lockdown.
🌟 A shining example for so many.
Proud of you, @MarcusRashford 🎓 #MUFC | @OfficialUoM
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 7, 2021
Rashford was pleased to receive the award yesterday, but he described it as “bittersweet” as today is the day that recipients of Universal Credit will see a reduction in income due to the retraction of an uplift implemented during the pandemic.
❤️💜Congratulations @MarcusRashford!
Today Marcus received his honorary doctorate at Old Trafford. Marcus is the youngest recipient of an honorary degree in the history of the University. @ManUtd @England pic.twitter.com/3DnM6gtBAQ
— The University of Manchester (@OfficialUoM) October 7, 2021
Former Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was there to see Rashford collect the honorary degree alongside Rashford’s family and friends. Sir Alex himself holds an honorary degree from the same university.
It was presented by Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell who called Rashford “an exceptional young man”, whose “sense of community and generosity goes well beyond his years”. Rashford himself urged politicians to visit local communities and get to know the people who live there so that they can witness the challenges of people’s everyday lives.