Marcus Rashford has sided with rivals Man City over Katie Hopkins' jibes regarding his free school meals campaign.
The Man Utd forward's efforts has convinced the Government to back down on their stance not to provide meals to disadvantaged children during the school holidays.
But controversial columnist Hopkins has been outraged by the decision, tweeting Rashford over the issue suggesting he should pay to feed the children himself.
After her first message to the star was ignored, Hopkins followed it up with a separate tweet of her head mocked up on to a Man City players body attempting to tackle Rashford.
Her tweet said: "I look hot in blue. Just saying #feedthekids #MarcusRashford."
While Rashford seemingly ignored her post, he gained support from the most unlikeliest of sources, as United's rival neighbours City responded.
City's official Twitter account tagged Rashford in their reply, which read: "Not in our blue. Just saying! #WellDoneMarcus."
Their comments got Rashford's attention, who added: "A city united."
Hopkins had previously whipped up a Twitter storm with her initial tweet criticising the Government's move.
After significant public pressure, the Government announced they had allocated a £120million 'Covid food fund' to be used to supply meals to children most vulnerable over the summer holidays.
Hopkins contacted Rashford on Twitter, writing: "Do you think women should think about how they are going to feed a child before they decide to have it?
"I do not want to pay to feed other people’s kids. You are welcome to."
Rashford himself comes from a family of five children and explained how his experiences of his mother struggling to put food on the table was the motivation behind his efforts to help those less fortunate.
After hearing news of the Government's decision, the England international took to Twitter to show his appreciation.
"I don’t even know what to say," Rashford tweeted. "Just look at what we can do when we come together, THIS is England in 2020."
In a separate message aimed at the nation's MPs, he later added: "I stand proud today knowing that we have listened, and we have done what is right.
"There is still a long way to go but I am thankful to you all that we have given these families just one less thing to worry about tonight.
"The wellbeing of our children should ALWAYS be a priority."
Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip.
