Marcus Rashford vows to support Manchester bombing victims after terror attack
Striker Marcus Rashford says Manchester will fight together following the bomb attack two weeks ago.
The 19-year-old Manchester United and England forward joined team-mate Jesse Lingard at Manchester Children’s Hospital on Monday to spend time with some of the injured children.
The pair brought club shirts for those being treated after 22 people were killed in a terrorist attack at an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena and more than 120 others were injured.
Lingard, born in Warrington, has played for United since he was seven, while Rashford was raised in Wythenshawe, just south of Manchester.
Rashford said: „The things which are happening around the county and the world are not good.
„It’s disappointing to hear about the attacks in Manchester and London. We are with the families as much as we can be and it’s important the families know that.
„That’s one of the reasons why we wanted to visit the hospitals. We are doing all we can to support the families and the victims of the attack.
„Things like the concert (at Old Trafford Cricket Ground on Sunday) and going to the hospital shows the families and people around the city we are together and we have to fight it together.“
Rashford and Lingard have now joined up with the England senior squad for their World Cup Qualifier against Scotland on Saturday and next week’s friendly in France.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate opted to call him up rather than allow Rashford to join Aidy Boothroyd’s U21 squad for this summer’s European Championships.
But the striker, who scored 11 goals in 53 games for United last season, is happy with the decision which means he misses the tournament in Poland which start next week.
Rashford said: „Southgate had to think about what’s best for England and for me as a player. I’m happy to be with the seniors and to continue my development. It’s important to be on the same page.
„It’s something you look forward to, being selected for your country. You have the U20s in South Korea doing well (in the World Cup) and the U21s going into a tournament.
„Whatever age group you’re called upon it’s important you have a mindset where you’re going to achieve great things.
„To me it’s not being fast-tracked. There’s been a lot of games, England and United have dealt with it in a positive way. I feel comfortable with the position I’m in.“
Victory for England in Glasgow would put England on the brink of qualification for next year’s World Cup in Russia. They are four points clear in Group F but Rashford remains wary of the Scots.
„Scotland are a good team, they have a lot of good qualities we have to respect,“ he added.
„We have to think about what they can bring to the table. We have to go into the game confident we’re going to win. No matter who the opponent is that’s the attitude we have to have.
„It’s another experience, possibly one of the toughest I have faced. It’s another experience I can tick off the list and keep on moving forward.“
Watch Scotland v England on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1 from 4pm
