Marcus Rashford is a Manchester United legend, an England star, an author and all-round champion. He’s also edited the Beano and featured on an extra special cover as part of our 85th birthday celebrations. Here’s some amazing facts about the football icon’s career on and off the pitch!

1. Marcus was born on Halloween!

Marcus Rashford MBE – to give him his full title – was born on October 31, 1997, in Wythenshawe, which is a suburb of Manchester. Imagine being born on a day where everyone is dressed up in spooky costumes and your neighbours are handing out treats for free!

2. Marcus has been at Manchester United for absolutely ages!

He joined Manchester United’s youth academy at the age of seven, which means he has spent over 18 years at the Red Devils! His skills – apparently helped by learning from the early versions of FIFA – made him stand out as one of the most promising young players in the club’s academy.

3. He made his Manchester United senior debut aged 18!

Marcus made his first-team debut for Manchester United in February 2016, scoring two goals against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League. Not a bad way to start your senior career!

4. He scored twice in his Premier League debut too!

During his Premier League debut, Marcus scored two goals against Arsenal. This was the same month as his senior debut against FC Midtjylland. What a month!

5. He employs his brothers!

Some football players have agents helping them make vital decisions in their career, but Marcus is represented by his brothers Dane Rashford and Dwaine Maynard. They both help him with different business decisions to make off the field.

6. He made his senior debut for England aged 18!

Marcus opened his account during his England debut on May 27, 2016, four months after becoming a first team regular for Manchester United. He entered the record books as he was the youngest player score on his England debut aged just 18 years old. He scored against Australia within three minutes of the game starting!

7. He does a lot of good work off the pitch too!

Marcus has spent a lot of time speaking out against child hunger and poverty issues, and launched a campaign to provide free school meals during school holidays. With support of the public, the government made some policy changes to ensure no child would go hungry. In 2020, he co-founded the Rashford Foundation alongside his family. The foundation’s mission is to address child poverty and food insecurity in the UK, raising funds and providing support to various charities.

9. He has an MBE!

After his huge efforts to tackle child poverty, Marcus was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2020!

8. He’s written a best-selling book!

In 2021, Marcus released You Are a Champion: How to Be the Best You Can Be, an inspirational guide co-written with journalist Carl Anka. It’s packed with anecdotes from the footballer’s career and has tips from performance psychologist Katie Warriner to help you be the best possible version of yourself!

10. And another!

In 2022, he released his blam follow-up to the 2021 best-selling, award-winning book, You Can Do It: How to Find Your Voice and Make a Difference through Macmillan Children’s Books. The book – written with sports writer and You Are A Champion co-author Carl Anka – an inspirational guide for people who are interested in championing causes which are close to their heart, just like the football ace himself!

11. And another! It’s a hat-trick for the young Manchester United star!

And just like his goals, his books don’t stop there. He’s also written a series of books with Alex Falase-Koya, a children’s writer from London and author of the superhero series Marv. Their book The Breakfast Cub Adventures: The Beast Beyond the Fence was been picked for the Marcus Rashford Book Club and is an awesome adventure story!

12. Marcus was a Beano guest Editor!

In July 2022, Marcus guest-edited the comic in a super special edition and saw the striker immortalised in Beano cartoon form. In the cover story, he creates mischief and mayhem alongside the likes of Bananaman, Billy Whizz and The Bash Street Kids!

He told us: “I jumped at the chance because this is a great opportunity for you to get to know me a little better and understand all the things that are important to me.”

13. He appeared on the special 85th Beano birthday cover too!

On July 30 2023, Beano celebrated its 85th birthday! It was the day when the very first issue of the Beano was released in the shops. The Manchester United ace was one of many stars to appear on the cover. It also featured his Manchester City rival Phil Foden, Harry Styles, Dua Lia, Lioness and Queen of the Jungle Jill Scott and many more!

The comic cover shows King Charles wondering if he’s the monarch in Beanotown, as Queen Camilla happily informs him that kids rule in the iconic fictional town. Each of the celebrities featured became a proud owner of a Golden Dennis & Gnasher Fan Club badge to commemorate their role in our birthday celebrations!

14. He once learned sign language for a school competition!

As part of a World Book Day poetry competition, the Manchester United legend was asked to judge a competition at school for children with hearing loss. To prepare for the big day, he learned some sign language so he could introduce himself to the children.

15. He features on the EA football game, FC 24!

As part of the Ultimate Edition of the EA Sports game FC 24, Marcus can be seen alongside a load of football stars, past and present. He’s pictured alongside Brazil’s Marta, Germany’s Rudi Völler and the late, great Pelé!