Sir Alex Ferguson has paid an emotional tribute to Marcus Rashford after the Manchester United forward was honoured at the Football Writers' Association annual tribute awards.
The 23-year-old has become the youngest ever recipient of the FWA tribute in recognition of his work to fight child poverty during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Rashford has utilised his platform to raise awareness about child poverty in the UK and teamed up with food waste charity FareShare to deliver meals to children who were no longer receiving free school meals.
Earlier this month the United forward used his personal social media profiles to criticise the 'unacceptable' food packages being sent to families, pressuring a government review of the way charity funding was being spent.
As well as his work around child hunger Rashord also used his profile to question the government's plans of removing a Universal Credit payment uplift, while he also supported a campaign to get children reading as part of World Book Day.
Even with all his commitments away from the pitch Rashford has excelled on it - enjoying his best ever goal scoring season for United as they finished third in the Premier League last year.
"I would like to congratulate Marcus on his achievement and presentation (of the FWA Tribute Award) tonight," Ferguson stated.
"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."
Speaking after the tribute from Ferguson, the United forward thanked the legendary manager for all the support he has shown him throughout his own journey.
Rashford added: "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."
