The University of Manchester has decided to award it’s highest honour, an honorary doctorate, to Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford for his campaign to combat child poverty in the UK.
The award will make him the youngest recipient of an honorary doctorate in the institution’s history. It will see him join an elite group of recipients that includes United legends Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton.
The 22-year-old England international received worldwide recognition for his campaign, which in the height of the Coronavirus pandemic pressurised the UK government into providing some 1.3 million children with free school meal vouchers during the summer holidays.
An elated Rashford called the announcement “a proud day for myself and my family”.
“When you look at the great names that have been awarded this doctorate in the past, it’s humbling,” Rashford said
“We still have a long way to go in the fight to combat child poverty in this country but receiving recognition from your city means we are heading in the right direction and that means a lot.”
