Manchester Evening News

WELL RED! United star pens book to inspire kids

- By ADAM MAIDMENT adam.maidment@men-news.co.uk @AdamMaidme­nt

UNITED star Marcus Rashford has announced details of his first foray into writing.

The 23-year-old footballer, from Wythenshaw­e, will release ‘You Are A Champion’ with Macmillan Children’s Books on May 27.

The book is described as being an inspiratio­nal guide for young people aged 10 and above and aims to develop positive thinking, build mental resilience and encourage dreaming big.

Written with journalist Carl Anka, the book will feature stories from Marcus’s own life alongside illustrati­ons, infographi­cs and tips from performanc­e psychologi­st Katie Warriner.

“It’s hard to know what is possible until you start,” Marcus said of the importance of pursuing your goals.

“You have to be able to dream big and be prepared to work towards your dreams. Good things take time. I’ve achieved a lot, but it didn’t come in one go. Big things rarely happen overnight, and good things rarely happen as if by magic. But believe in you and success will happen. Trust me. Live the dream.”

The England ace became a local hero to children and parents after he encouraged the government to U-turn on plans to scrap school meals over the summer holidays last year.

Rashford launched a campaign encouragin­g England’s poorest families to be provided with food vouchers to support them through the lockdown.

In response to the campaign, the government announced a £120m ‘Covid summer food fund’ for 1.3 million pupils across England.

In November, he also launched his own bookclub to help promote reading and literacy among children from all background­s.

“I only started reading at 17, and it completely changed my outlook and mentality,” he said.

“I just wish I was offered the opportunit­y to really engage with reading more as a child, but books were never a thing we could budget for as a family when we needed to put food on the table. There were times where the escapism of reading could have really helped me.”

 ??  ?? Marcus Rashford and, inset, his book You Are A Champion
Marcus Rashford and, inset, his book You Are A Champion

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