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Marcus Rashford responds to claims he is ‘commercially benefitting’ from charity work
"Why has there always got to be a motive? Why can’t we just do the right thing?"
Marcus Rashford has spoken out after accusations in the press that he has been ‘commercially benefitting’ from his charity work.
The Manchester United forward learned of a story due to be run in The Spectator this week about how he was gaining profit from his charitable endeavours.
Rashford – who topped The Sunday Times Giving List after raising £20m in donations to tackle child food poverty – has been recognised as an inspirational figure throughout the course of the pandemic, forcing the government into two separate u-turns over free school meals.
He was awarded an MBE for his efforts and also became the youngest recipient of an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester in 2020.
Rashford heard about an upcoming article claiming he had ‘commercially benefitted’ from his charity work was due to run on Wednesday (July 21).
Hitting back at the accusation, the striker posted on Twitter: “Just heard Spectator are planning to run a story on me tomorrow about how I have benefitted commercially in the last 18 months.
“To clarify, I don’t need to partner with brands. I partner because I want to progress the work I do off the pitch and most of any fee I would receive contributes to that.
“Last summer, 1.3M children had access to food support, through my relationship with Burberry children have a safe place to be after school where they will be fed, following the November investment vulnerable children have safe places to go this summer holiday, and due to my relationship with Macmillan 80,000 children now have a book to call their own.
“Do I have a larger commercial appeal following the u-turns? I’m sure. But I’m also a Manchester United and England international footballer. Why has there always got to be a motive? Why can’t we just do the right thing?”
He added: “I actually enjoy reading bits from The Spectator now and again but this is just a none [sic] starter.”
Rashford was one of three players who suffered racial abuse online following England’s Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy on Sunday 11 July. Several arrests have since been made by police.
People also flocked from across the country to hold a demonstration and take the knee in front of Rashford’s mural in Withington – with the scenes leaving the striker “overwhelmed, thankful and lost for words”.
Featured image: Wikipedia
News
Two men charged with rape of teenage girl under 16 in Manchester city centre
Emily Sergeant
Two men have been charged with the rape of a teenager girl under 16 years of age in Manchester city centre.
Mario-Alexandru Ratou and Mario-Vifor Ratou, who are both Romanian nationals of no fixed abode, have been charged with rape of a girl aged under 16, while the latter was also charged with false imprisonment.
They were arrested last Tuesday (7 April 2026), Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed, after a report of rape at a flat in the Green Quarter area of the city earlier the same day.
A third man in his 20s was also arrested on suspicion of rape, but he has since been bailed pending further enquiries.
Speaking following the two men being charged this week, Chief Superintendent David Meeney, who is GMP’s City of Manchester District Commander, said: “Our priority is ensuring the girl, and her two friends who were with her at the time of the attack, continue to receive specialist support during this traumatic time, and as this case proceeds through the court.
“We know this will cause concern across our communities, however as criminal proceedings are now active, I urge the public not to speculate so the legal process can take its proper course for the girl and her family.
“We remain firmly committed to protecting young girls across Greater Manchester and to help people feel safe.
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“I ask that the public continue to support us, so if you have any information that could help the investigation, please come forward and report it.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police directly online or via 101, quoting incident 2436 of 07/04/2026 or details can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
News
The Strokes announce first Manchester gig in two decades
Daisy Jackson
The Strokes are finally set to return to Manchester for the first time in years, announcing a huge arena show today.
The iconic indie rockers have shared details of a new European tour, which includes a night at the massive Co-op Live arena here in Manchester.
The news comes hot off the heels of their celebrated Coachella set over the weekend.
The Reality Awaits Tour, named after their upcoming seventh studio album, will take The Strokes to Manchester as well as London and Newcastle, plus several cities across Europe.
The Strokes broke into the industry back in 2001 with their seminal debut album Is This It, which spawned massive indie anthems like Last Nite, Hard To Explain, and Sometimes.
Since then, they’ve released six studio albums, all of which have climbed into the top 10 of the UK Albums Chart.
You can expect to hear all sorts of fan favourites, like Reptilia, Juicebox, and You Only Live Once, plus new music including their latest single The New Abnormal.
Co-op Live said: “This is set to be an unmissable show as they come to Co-op Live for the first time and we can’t wait!”
Last time The Strokes played in Manchester, it was at the O2 Apollo way back in 2006 – the same year they supported Foo Fighters at Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground.
They played Lytham Festival more recently, but haven’t ventured back into Manchester itself since.
The Strokes will play at Co-op Live in Manchester on 26 October 2026.
Tickets will go on sale at 10am on Friday 17 April HERE, with a number of pre-sales beginning from Wednesday 15 April.
The Strokes UK and Ireland tour dates in full
- The O2, London – 6 October
- Utilita Arena, Newcastle – 25 October
- Co-op Live, Manchester – 26 October
- 3Arena, Dublin – 28 October
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Featured image: Publicity picture
The Manc -
21st July 2021 
