When Marcus Rashford heard he had been awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester this summer, he put the phone down and turned to his girlfriend who had just graduated with a first in advertising and brand management.
‘Lucia,’ said Rashford. ‘How long did it take you to get your degree?’ ‘Three years,’ she replied.
‘Well, I’ve just done it in 36 hours!’ Rashford was only having a bit of fun but that was how long it took the Manchester United player to persuade Prime Minister Boris Johnson to make a U-turn over free meals for underprivileged children in the summer holidays.