Rashford reveals regret of not playing for Sir Ferguson after receiving award

Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to Marcus Rashford after the Manchester United star was honoured at the Football Writers' Association annual tribute awards.

The 23-year-old became the youngest ever recipient of the FWA tribute, which was awarded in recognition of his work to fight child food poverty.

Rashford led a successful campaign to extend the provision of free school meals for vulnerable children throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Ferguson led the tributes to the England international, and Rashford was moved by the legendary Manchester United manager's words.

After receiving the award he said: 'For me [hearing from Ferguson] was an unbelievable experience and I think for me that is probably the only regret I have ever had in my career, never having the chance to play under Sir Alex.

'It is something which is probably never going to happen now but to be on the phone with him and just have 10 or 15 minutes conversation with him was amazing and I am pleased he was aware of the situation and he wanted to help as well, so it was brilliant.

'He has always, from the beginning really, backed me with what I am doing.

'Probably when other people in sports were telling me not to do it and just focus on football, he said if I believed in that, and I believe it is the right thing to do, then he is behind it. Those words from him are an amazing feeling to hear that.'

Ferguson has helped Rashford with his fight, previously pledging £2m towards the FareShare charity for which the Manchester United forward is an ambassador.

The 79-year-old who left Manchester United in 2013, praised Rashford before he received the award from the FWA.

He said:  'I have known him since being a kid of 7 years of age, and seen him develop through the ranks of Manchester United into a truly wonderful person.

'Apart from his football life, what he has achieved in the last few months is quite astonishing, how he has helped the people in need is a truly amazing achievement.

'I would like to congratulate him on that. He has shown to young people in particular there is a different way of dealing with life.

'He has shown great humility, he has shown courage to do what he did, so this achievement is well deserved and should be recognised with what he has done.

'So Marcus, well done on a fantastic achievement.'