Liverpool and Chelsea managers Jurgen Klopp and Frank Lampard have joined in praising Marcus Rashford for his campaign to end child poverty in the UK.
The 22-year-old Manchester United and England forward has been putting pressure on the Government to continue their free school meals scheme after already forcing an extension to ensure disadvantaged kids don’t go hungry.
The campaign was dealt a major blow earlier this week as MPs voted against another extension in Parliament but councils, restaurants and businesses up and down the country been uniting to support Rashford’s effort while schools are shut during the half-term break.
‘I’m not sure I can find any better words than other and much smarter people than me said about it,’ Klopp said at his press conference ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Sheffield United.
‘But what Marcus started there is absolutely incredible and it’s so nice. With all the rivalry between the clubs and stuff like this, in these moments as footballers – and as human beings – always united.
‘It’s just nice to show in a time when obviously a lot of people who are really in charge of something and don’t show any sign of proper leadership, that a boy grown up in difficult circumstances, blessed with a sensational talent obviously, never forgot his roots and where he is coming from.
‘That he has to do it then is a bit of a shame but is wonderful as well. I hope his mother is really proud of him. I don’t know him but even I am.
‘He plays for United, which makes it really tricky! But it’s really an absolutely wonderful, wonderful thing.
‘Whatever praise he got – and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want the praise now anymore, it’s nice to do it once – that’s how it is.
‘Now he is in the role and now he is the role model for that and that’s great and it will not distract him from his football things. But, yeah, absolutely great and happy about it.’
Chelsea boss Lampard believes Rashford deserves enormous credit for what he has achieved with the campaign.
‘It’s been great to see young players with personality, with a voice, speaking up for things that they care passionately about,’ he said.
‘I absolutely commend him for that.
‘There are a group of players now in the Premier League – doesn’t matter what age or what team you play for – that are speaking out in the right way.
‘It’s been fantastic and he deserves credit for it.’
Lampard and Rashford do battle as Chelsea travel to United in the Premier League and the visitors will be without Kepa Arrizabalaga at Old Trafford.
‘Thiago [Silva] and Christian [Pulisic] are both fine,’ Lampard said.
‘We have a pretty clean bill of health other than Kepa who has a shoulder issue and won’t travel to Manchester.
‘The only other player out is Billy Gilmour. Cech is not coming [as a player], no.’
Lampard added: ‘Man United are a very good team and we have played them enough last season to know that.’
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