Stay grounded: Marcus Rashford says he learnt his footballing values at Fletcher Moss Rangers and that they have been continued during his time at Manchester United

Stick football on television and that was him. His brothers won’t forget: Marcus, in his baby bouncer, tiny eyes following the ball on screen. You could leave him for hours. His dad, a good cricketer, dreamt that would be his sport. No chance. The baby and the football — Marcus was hardwired, a natural-born player.

And here he is, now 20, the natural footballer back in his natural habitat. It’s a cold night and breath steams under floodlights at five-a-side pitches in Withington where Marcus Rashford has come to kick about with 11-year-olds.

They’re from his old boys’ club, Fletcher Moss Rangers. McDonald’s have organised this, but Rashford’s charisma and groundedness take things beyond your standard PR event. He joins a game — popping off