Marcus Rashford is ENGAGED to high school sweetheart

Manchester United footballer and MBE recipient Marcus Rashford is now set to marry his childhood sweetheart after proposing while on a postseason getaway in California.

The Premier League striker got down on one knee for long-time girlfriend Lucia Loi yesterday, less than a week after United ended their season in defeat to Crystal Palace.

The pair, both aged 24, have been dating since the age of 15 when they were pupils at Ashton on Mersey school in Greater Manchester.

Rashford had been planning the proposal for weeks and popped the question to Lucia at a lavish villa after they shared a romantic meal at celebrity seafood restaurant Catch LA, a source told The Sun.

'They went out in LA for a romantic night together on Tuesday and he proposed. It was extremely romantic.

'They celebrated afterwards with a group of close friends — including his United teammate Jesse Lingard,' the source said.

Rashford shared news of the engagement on Instagram, posting an image of the pair embracing as they stood atop a bed of white roses in front of a heart-shaped archway.

Another source said: 'All involved are thrilled at the recent news of the engagement,' and spoke of Lucia's influence on the Premier League star, who has received plaudits for his charitable work off the field but has struggled to perform on it since having shoulder surgery.

'Lucia has been a big part of Marcus' life... offering stability, a sense of belonging and assurance that can be rare to find,' the source told The Sun.

The high school sweethearts had been together for eight years when difficulties associated with the Covid pandemic triggered a split.

But the pair confirmed they had reunited in January of this year.

News of the engagement comes just days after Rashford claimed the book of the year prize at the British Book Awards for his non-fiction debut.

You Are A Champion, an inspirational guide for young people, was chosen from the 12 individual category winners during the ceremony – nicknamed The Nibbies – at Grosvenor House in London.

The book, written with journalist Carl Anka, offers advice on how to achieve your potential and find success.

In a pre-recorded message, Rashford said: 'Every child should pick up the book and believe that I wrote it for them.

'I want to give a huge thanks to MacMillan for believing in me and believing in the process, and a big thanks to Carl as well because he played a massive role in the book being completed.

'The reason I made the book and the purpose of the book was to give kids the opportunity that I never had.'

It triumphed over bestsellers such as The Lyrics by Sir Paul McCartney, winner in the non-fiction lifestyle category, and Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason, winner of the fiction prize.

The work was praised by a panel of judges that included broadcaster Gabby Logan, associate editor of books for The Observer New Review, Lisa O'Kelly, and Nigerian-born short story and novel writer Irenosen Okojie.

Rashford's romantic LA getaway marks the start of an offseason in which the striker is expected to remain in the States for intense preparation ahead of the 2022-2023 Premier League season.

The out-of-form forward has struggled in recent months but has made it clear he wants to stay and fight for his place at Old Trafford.

The Telegraph reported he will begin a gruelling warm-weather training programme in June to get his pre-season preparation off to the best possible start ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, the first with new manager Erik ten Hag as boss.

Rashford endured the worst season of his career, disrupted by injuries and middling form, only scoring five goals in 32 appearances in all competitions.

The Red Devils finished sixth, 35 points behind rivals and champions Manchester City and without silverware for the fifth year running.

Rashford's future at the club has been in doubt, with German giants Bayern Munich thought to be among the clubs keeping an eye on his situation.