After conceding a key penalty in the Euro 2020 final, United's England star Marcus Rashford publicly apologised and explained the difficulties he faced.
England had originally led Italy in a penalty shootout, but Marcus Rashford shot at the goalpost, opening the prelude to the team's three consecutive goals, Manchester United teammate Sancho and Arsenal youngster Saka made mistakes in succession, and finally the Italian team reversed the victory. After the game, Marcus Rashford also wept with regret, and he issued a statement apologizing for not scoring a penalty.
"I don't know where to start, I don't know how to describe my feelings in words." The Manchester United star wrote, "I've had a difficult season and I think everyone can see clearly that I may lack confidence in the final. I've always dared to take penalties, but something didn't feel right. I slowly ran, trying to buy myself a little more time, and unfortunately, the results were not what I wanted. I felt like I was disappointing my teammates. All I had to do in the game was to score this penalty. I can kick in the penalty when I'm asleep, so why doesn't the ball work? This scene has been repeated in my mind since the shot at the neutral post, and I can't express that feeling. Eventually, 55 years of waiting, as a penalty became history. All I can say is I'm sorry."
Marcus Rashford added: "I wish it had a different ending, I'll continue to say sorry, but I also want to shout to my teammates, this summer is the best big game I've ever experienced and you all played a role. We have built a brotherhood, which is unbreakable. Your success is my success, and your failure is my failure. I joined the sport of football and I knew I would always read all kinds of stories about me. Whether it's the color of my skin, my upbringing or what I've been doing off the field lately. I can accept criticism of my performance, as long as I want, I didn't play well enough on the penalty spot, I should have scored, but I would never apologize for where I came from."
Manchester United concluded: "There is nothing more proud than wearing a Three Lions shirt and seeing my family cheering me on with tens of thousands of fans in the stands. Today I received a lot of positive encouragement messages, and I also saw what happened in Wesington and brought me to tears. The people there always hugged me and encouraged me. I'm Marcus Rashford, a 23-year-old black teenager from Wesington and Wessenshaw from South Manchester. Even if I have nothing, this is the wealth I have. Thank you for your kindness, I will get stronger and come back, we will get stronger and come back again."
What Marcus Rashford said was that after the European Championship final, he was insulted by radical netizens on social networking sites and maliciously damaged in a mural in Greater Manchester. The mural was meant to pay homage to the Manchester United demon star's charity effort to fight for a free lunch for children, but someone wrote a filthy word on Rashford's face, "Shit, damn it, you bitch!"
Still, Marcus Rashford has more support. Local residents covered up the graffiti with love and various small notes with words of support. England manager Southgate lambasted the insults to the players as unforgivable, with captain Harry Kane saying: "This is not what we want."
Manchester United teammate De Gea, who conceded a penalty in the Europa League final, also stood in solidarity with Marcus Rashford: "Wherever you fall, you get up." That's football, you know very well. Friends, we'll see you at home." Other team-mates such as McTomine also expressed support to Rashford.