Twitter, even so-called “Football Twitter”, can be the most toxic of social media platforms. At times, it’s overwhelming to wade through the anger and vitriol, the partisan politics, the fake news and everything else that makes you type angrily into a keyboard. Indeed, it’s so bad that Amnesty International released a special report on the treatment of women on the site.
In saying all that, there are also cheery parts of Twitter. You might like the banter between Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher, or Kiwi boxer’s new-found status as the MVP of video content. But if you really want to feel that there is hope left for humanity, then check out some of the posts from Marcus Rashford’s feed. Supporting charities, a high five for kids whose dads have tagged Rashford in the hope for a shout out, the odd happy birthday greeting to a fellow Manchester United or England player; these are the posts that makeup Rashford’s social media profile.
There is an innocence about Rashford that’s evident in how he behaves on social media. He is a John Boy Walton-like figure, the older brother to an army of kids up and down the country for whom Rashford has become an idol. That innocence is also evident in how he looks. At 22, he is no longer a child, but wears a boy’s expression on a man’s head and shoulders.
Rashford can shine for England
As for Rashford the player, it’s not always easy to talk about likability away from the Old Trafford faithful. Football fans don’t remember social media posts or charity gestures. Instead, they’ll recall Rashford berating the referee, or ‘unfairly’ winding down the clock or diving for a penalty. Rashford could donate all his wealth to charity, and Liverpool fans would still view him as a Manchester United player first, philanthropist second.
And yet, there is a great unifier in English football – the national team. Perhaps it was fortuitous for Rashford for Euro 2020 to be postponed as he faced a race against time to be fit, but his scintillating form before his January injury must have given Gareth Southgate reason to purr. England have an embarrassment of attacking riches to choose from these days, but a place must be found for Rashford in the starting eleven.
England have a ‘home’ tournament
As it stands, the latest football betting odds have England as the favourites for what is now Euro 2021. There is some good fortune in that. England will play group games, as well as the semi-final and final (should they make it) at Wembley. For all intents and purposes, it’s a home tournament for England, whereas their rivals will have to bounce around different parts of Europe. That’s one of the reasons England have been cited at 5/1 ahead of World Cup holders France (6/1).
The Euros next summer, as well as the World Cup the year after, feels like the perfect opportunity for Rashford to shine. He is still learning his craft, but we are beginning to see glimpses of the finished article. The current England squad is good enough to deliver a platform for him to shine on, although there are certainly weaknesses to be found in central midfield.
We aren’t claiming that Rashford will automatically become a national hero should England succeed next summer or, indeed, in Qatar. There isn’t even a guarantee that he makes England’s starting eleven. But this undoubted nice guy of football has the capacity to deliver success for his country. And if he does so, fans of all tribes and creeds will not fail to be charmed by that boyish expression.
