Sport
It was a joyous moment for the fans watching but deeply more significant for the 25-year-old.
Danny Jones -30th November 2022
On Tuesday night, Marcus Rashford lit up what had previously been an underwhelming final group game against Wales with what we can only describe as an absolute stunner of a free-kick.
Swapping out his usual knuckleball technique for a whipped but equally fast-paced finish into the top right corner, the 25-year-old wheeled away to celebrate with the travelling fans but not long after, he dropped to his news and pointed to the sky.
While not an entirely uncommon celebration in the world of football, it did seem like a somewhat muted reaction from the Man United forward, especially after such an incredible opening goal.
Speaking to media after the game, it turns out Rashford‘s celebration was dedicated to a close friend who passed away a couple of days prior.
— BBC Sport Manchester (@BBCRMsport) November 30, 2022"Unfortunately, I lost one of my friends a couple of days ago. I'm pleased I managed to score for him, he's always been a big supporter of mine."
Marcus Rashford paid tribute to his late friend who lost his battle with cancer.#MUFC #BBCWorldCup pic.twitter.com/NDsnQjiPVQ
As the Wythenshawe-born star went on to explain, choosing to point to the sky for the celebration was his way of paying tribute to a friend who sadly died following a long battle with cancer.
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The joint-leading goalscorer this World Cup went on to say, “I’m pleased I managed to score for him, he’s always been a big supporter of mine. He’s just a great person to have come into my life”. Heartbreaking.
As confirmed by several outlets after the press conference, Rashford’s late friend was Garfield Hayward, a 35-year-old also from Manchester, who is said to have passed away last week.
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Nicknamed ‘Garf’, his nephew wrote on social media: “My heart is hurting so much knowing I won’t see you again in this life… it won’t be the same without you being here… You didn’t have a bad bone in your body you would give anything and everything you could with even a single bit of hesitation.” So touching.
It was no wonder Rashford himself was so quick to go and celebrate with his loved ones after the fact.
'Special moments ❤️' https://t.co/yIrTpFejwB
— The Manc (@TheMancUK) November 30, 2022
Rashford made it three goals in as many games at Qatar 2022 following his wonderful free-kick and equally well-worked second goal, with fellow Manc Phil Foden scoring the second goal only seconds after the opener.
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England now face Senegal in the Round of 16 and the way these two lads looked on the night, we expect Manchester to be putting on a show come the weekend.
Let’s watch that goal back again, shall we?
So, so good by @MarcusRashford! pic.twitter.com/89hiIdoYpS
— England (@England) November 29, 2022
On repeat until Sunday.
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Featured Image — England/BBCSport
Sport
John Stones dedicates England’s win to Dillan Ramsey-Aksehir, 5, who died during Euros matchDanny Jones
Manchester City and England defender John Stones has dedicated Sunday night’s win over Slovakia to Dillan Ramsey-Aksehir, who sadly died during the match.
The Three Lions managed a last-gasp victory over their round of 16 opponents to secure their place in the quarter-finals against Switzerland, but while John Stones and co. were representing their country, the family of five-year-old Dillan Ramsey-Aksehir were sadly in mourning after his tragic passing.
Having first been diagnosed with blood cancer back in 2020, fundraising for the “special little boy” from Manchester captured the attention of the nation, with countless names like Stones donating and raising awareness around his GoFundMe, which has amassed over £650,000 to date.
Unfortunately, the leukaemia returned for a fourth time this February following a bone marrow transplant and mum Amy Ramsey confirmed he passed away at 6:15pm while most eyes were fixed on the England game. Learning of the news shortly after, Stones wasted no time in dedicating the win in his name.
As you can see, the Man City centre-back wrote: “Tonight was for Dillan. A special little boy that touched mine and my family’s hearts. He’s an inspiration to us all.
“Rest in peace little fighter, our thoughts are with his family during this unimaginably difficult time.”
The heartfelt gesture which has no doubt been felt throughout the England camp was met with warm applause back home, with people replying, “Absolute class”, “Thank you for all you and your family did to try [and] help Dilly” and one person adding: “What football is all about.” We couldn’t agree more.
As for mum Amy, she posted the gut-wrenching news on Instagram along with a tear-jerking picture of her ever-smiling child, assuring that “he wasn’t in pain and was still talking and making us laugh until he took his last breath.”
Sharing an update on Monday, she said: “I would like to honour Dilly in the best way possible, but also in a sensible way. We would really like to take some time away, take his ashes somewhere nice and make up for lost time with the girls. Possibly pay some rent in advance for a while to relieve the stress of this…
“If you can help take some of the stress away so that we can keep things as they are and pay off the bills it would be a huge help.”
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The comments are as emotional and full of love as you would expect, with countless parents offering their condolences and everyone uniting in labelling “the bravest boy” and an “inspiration.”
Our thoughts are with all of his loved ones during this unimaginable time and we sincerely hope his story can serve as added motivation for Stones and the rest of the England squad to go far in honour of Dillan and his memory.
Most importantly, the fundraiser set up by his family is still active if you want to show your support and donate to the page by helping put money towards funeral arrangements.
Rest in peace, Dilly x
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester,subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — GoFundMe/John Stones/Amy Ramsey (via Instagram)
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England fans are calling for Southgate to finally start Luke Shaw following Trippier’s injury doubtsDanny Jones
England supporters are crying out for Gareth Southgate to start Luke Shaw in the next game against Switzerland after Kieran Trippier was substituted in the round-of-16 win over Slovakia.
The Three Lions boss admitted it was a ‘gamble’ to bring the injured Manchester United star to the Euros and would only be fit enough to play in the knockout games, but with the quarter-finals now looming and Shaw yet to play a single minute in the tournament, people are now wondering if he’ll come in at all.
So far though, since the sidelined 28-year-old is England’s only natural left-back in the squad, Bury-born defender Kieran Trippier has been deployed in the position but his right-footedness has proved difficult when it comes to overlapping, creating overloads on the wing and service into the box.
That being said, with the Newcastle fullback having already been an injury doubt prior to Slovakia and the fact it’s unclear as to whether or not his substitution was just a knock or something more serious, fans are urging Southgate to roll the dice now and bring Shaw into the side.
if shaw isn’t fit for the switzerland game sack southgate on the spot . doesn’t fix most of our problems but having a fit left back certainly helps in matches
— hollie🏴 (@hollieh0llie) June 30, 2024
Trent for Walker, Shaw for Trippier, Palmer for Saka and Gordon for Foden. Make no mistake we have been absolutely dreadful in every game. Unless we buck our ideas up Switzerland will have a field day
— RJH (@richyhardy) June 30, 2024
— Donation link in BIO pls (@EhsanMH2015) June 30, 2024Trippier got Guehi booked and now Guehi will miss the match against Switzerland
Trippier needs to be dropped and Shaw needs to start man
That gives him more time to get sharp and fit
As you can see, it doesn’t look like the manner of the qualification has done anything to settle the nerves back home, especially given their quarter-final opponents Switzerland are set to prove a much more difficult challenge after they came second in their group only to hosts Germany.
They also managed to dump out England‘s ghosts from Euro 2020 in their first knockout fixture, beating the Italians 2-0 to progress to the last eight.
Given the tense nature of the performance, the general consensus despite the win is that things need to be shaken up; one person suggested: “Bring in Trent. Shaw (if poss). Keep Mainoo. Palmer or Gordon”, adding, “the Swiss ain’t no joke. They will dismantle England in an hour if you don’t freshen things up.”
While there seems to be plenty of debate as to how Southgate will line his team up after Marc Guehi picked up a suspension – with many suggesting that he could play three at the back – virtually everyone is calling for Shaw to be brought straight into the starting XI, even if as a left-sided centre-half.
— Ben בן (@Ben_said_it) June 30, 2024Gareth Southgate had some luck this time.
There is no chance england beat Switzerland without some serious changes.They need to bring on Luke Shaw, Anthony Gordon, and Cole Palmer from the start.
— Donation link in BIO pls (@EhsanMH2015) June 30, 2024Trippier got Guehi booked and now Guehi will miss the match against Switzerland
Trippier needs to be dropped and Shaw needs to start man
That gives him more time to get sharp and fit
— Andrew 🏹 (@Nesto25) June 30, 2024The lack of a LB is killing the balance of the team…. So much pressure on Luke Shaw to get fit.
Got to go 3 at the back against Switzerland #ENG🏴
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While it looks as though the supporters’ cries to start fellow Man United teammate Kobbie Mainoo have worked and you would hope the shouts for Shaw will be heard too, only those within the England camp will know what Southgate is thinking when it comes to his new defensive dilemma.
In fact, when Trippier was already a doubt for Sunday’s match, it was reported that rather than risking Shaw he was considering bringing in Ezri Kona as a makeshift LB, so this could still be in his plans as opposed to playing the natural fullback or Liverpool’s Joe Gomez who has also played there this season.
It’s also worth noting that not only does Shaw provide more width and fluid left flank, but he also buried a stunning strike against the Swiss when the two teams last met in March of 2022 – one that reminiscent of his opener against Italy in the last Euros final, in fact.
We’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed that whatever option he goes for turns out to be the right one and, if it does, Manchester now has a very exciting new venue to watch the rest of the competition.
AO Arena to screen remaining England Euros games in what will be Europe’s biggest fanzone
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester,subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
