History of Marcus Rashford in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 15, 2026

Marcus Rashford is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United and the England national team. A product of the Manchester United youth academy, he made a sensational debut in 2016 and has since established himself as a key player for both club and country. Beyond his athletic achievements on the pitch, Rashford is widely recognized for his impactful humanitarian work. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he launched a highly successful campaign to combat child food poverty in the United Kingdom, successfully lobbying the government to provide free school meals for children from low-income families. His tireless dedication to social advocacy has earned him widespread acclaim, including an MBE, making him one of the most respected figures in modern sports for his commitment to off-pitch societal change.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

10 March 2018: Rashford Scores Brace Against Liverpool

On 10 March 2018, Marcus Rashford made his first Premier League start of the year and successfully scored both goals in a 2-1 victory for Manchester United against their rivals, Liverpool.

11 September 2018: Jamie Carragher's Commentary

On 11 September 2018, football pundit Jamie Carragher suggested that Rashford might need to transfer away from Manchester United to fully develop his potential, citing a lack of starting appearances at the beginning of the season.

12 September 2017: UEFA Champions League Debut Goal

On 12 September 2017, Rashford scored in his UEFA Champions League debut against Basel, becoming the first player to score on his debut in six different competitions.

13 August 2017: Assist against West Ham United

On 13 August 2017, Rashford started in a 4–0 victory over West Ham United and provided the assist for Romelu Lukaku's first goal of the match.

13 March 2018: Champions League Elimination by Sevilla

On 13 March 2018, Manchester United was eliminated from the Champions League following a 2-1 loss to Sevilla, a match in which Rashford provided the assist for United's only goal.

13 May 2018: Final Match Goal of the Season

On 13 May 2018, Marcus Rashford scored the deciding goal in a 1-0 win against Watford at Old Trafford, marking the final game of the season.

1987: Last Relegation of Aston Villa

Aston Villa was relegated from the top flight in 1987, a fate they faced again on 16 April 2016 following a loss to Manchester United where Marcus Rashford scored the deciding goal.

October 1997: Birth of Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford was born in October 1997, marking the beginning of the life of the future English professional footballer known for his career with Manchester United and the England national team.

Others born on this day/year

1998: Manchester United Academy Partnership with Ashton-on-Mersey School

In 1998, Manchester United established a formal arrangement to send their academy players to receive their education at Ashton-on-Mersey School, a practice that would later include Marcus Rashford during his youth development.

2 September 2018: Red Card Against Burnley

On 2 September 2018, Marcus Rashford was sent off with a red card during a 2–0 victory against Burnley at Turf Moor after a physical altercation with Phil Bardsley, an incident for which manager José Mourinho criticized him for being naive.

20 September 2017: Brace against Burton Albion

On 20 September 2017, Rashford recorded two goals and an assist during a 4–1 EFL Cup third-round victory over Burton Albion.

2012: Preceding Manchester City Away Victory

In 2012, Manchester United achieved an away league victory over Manchester City, a feat that would not be repeated until Marcus Rashford scored the winning goal in March 2016.

2012: Marveld Tournament Success

In 2012, Marcus Rashford competed as a member of the Manchester United under-15 squad, helping the team achieve a second-place finish at the 23rd annual Marveld tournament.

2013: First Team Training Debut

During the 2013–14 season, 16-year-old Marcus Rashford experienced his first training session with the Manchester United first team under manager David Moyes, an experience he noted as invaluable for his professional development.

2014: Recognized as a Top Prospect

During 2014, The Guardian newspaper identified Marcus Rashford as Manchester United's premier young talent in their 'Next Generation' feature, highlighting his unique playing style and high potential for future success.

2015: Breakthrough in United Under-19s

Throughout 2015, Marcus Rashford earned praise from manager Nicky Butt for his standout performances in the UEFA Youth League and the Under-18's Premier League. After filling in for an injured teammate, Rashford showcased his goal-scoring ability and was eventually appointed team captain due to his leadership qualities.

February 2016: Rejection of Loan Bid

In February 2016, Reserves manager Warren Joyce blocked a potential loan move for Marcus Rashford to League One side Crewe Alexandra, choosing to keep the promising talent at Manchester United during a period where he was gaining traction in first-team training sessions.

February 2016: Rashford's Goal-Scoring Professional Debut

In February 2016, eighteen-year-old Marcus Rashford made a remarkable impact by scoring two goals on his first-team and European debut against Midtjylland in the UEFA Europa League. Three days later, he continued his scoring streak by netting two goals during his Premier League debut against Arsenal.

March 2016: Record-Breaking Goal in the Manchester Derby

On 20 March 2016, Marcus Rashford scored the winning goal in a Manchester derby, becoming the youngest player to score in this Premier League fixture at 18 years and 141 days old, surpassing a record previously held by Wayne Rooney.

May 2016: England International Debut

In May 2016, Marcus Rashford made his senior international debut for England, scoring a goal and setting a record as the youngest English player to score in his first senior match.

2016: Senior Squad Number Assignment

During the 2016 season, Marcus Rashford was officially assigned the number 19 jersey by new manager José Mourinho, cementing his position as a key member of the senior squad despite increased competition from veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimović.

January 2017: FA Cup Brace Against Reading

On January 7, 2017, Marcus Rashford ended a scoring drought by netting two goals in a four-minute span during an FA Cup match against Reading, which Manchester United won 4–0.

2018: 2018 FIFA World Cup Appearance

In 2018, Marcus Rashford was selected as a member of the England national football team squad to compete in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

2019: Record Broken by Mason Greenwood

During the 2019-20 season, Mason Greenwood broke Marcus Rashford's record for being the youngest player to score for Manchester United in European competition.

2020: UEFA European Championship Finalist

During the 2020 UEFA European Championship, held across various dates, Rashford played for the England squad, reaching the final where the team finished as runners-up to Italy.

2020: Contract Extension Duration

On 30 May 2016, Marcus Rashford signed a new contract with Manchester United that was set to keep him at the club until 2020, with an option to extend the deal for an additional year.

2022: 2022 FIFA World Cup Participation

Marcus Rashford represented his country as a member of the England squad during the 2022 FIFA World Cup held in 2022.

2025: Rashford's Loan Moves and La Liga Success

In 2025, Marcus Rashford experienced a shift in his career through loan spells, first moving to Aston Villa and subsequently to Barcelona. During his time with Barcelona in 2025, he successfully secured the 2025–26 La Liga title.

2026: 2026 FIFA World Cup Participation

In 2026, Marcus Rashford continued his international career as a member of the England squad participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

23 October 2017: 2017 Golden Boy Award Placement

On 23 October 2017, Marcus Rashford secured third place in the prestigious 2017 Golden Boy award, trailing behind the winner Kylian Mbappé and runner-up Ousmane Dembélé.

25 February 2016: Marcus Rashford's First-Team Debut

On 25 February 2016, Marcus Rashford made his professional debut for Manchester United in a UEFA Europa League match against Midtjylland. He scored two goals, becoming the club's youngest-ever scorer in European competition at that time.

26 August 2017: First Goal of the Season

On 26 August 2017, Rashford scored the opening goal in a 2–0 win against Leicester City, having entered the match as a substitute only three minutes prior.

28 February 2016: Premier League Debut Against Arsenal

On 28 February 2016, three days after his European debut, Rashford played his first Premier League match against Arsenal. He scored two goals and provided an assist, securing a 3-2 victory and becoming one of the youngest Premier League scorers in Manchester United's history.

28 October 2017: Statistical Contributions Summary

As of 28 October 2017, Marcus Rashford demonstrated significant form by contributing to 12 goals across 16 matches, consisting of seven goals and five assists, highlighted by a goal against Huddersfield Town on 21 October and an assist against Swansea City on 24 October.

29 September 2018: First Goal of the Season

On 29 September 2018, Marcus Rashford made his first start of the season and successfully scored his first goal of the 2018–19 campaign during a 3–1 defeat against West Ham United.

8 August 2017: UEFA Super Cup Appearance

On 8 August 2017, Marcus Rashford made his first appearance of the season as a 46th-minute substitute during a 2–1 loss to Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup.