A mural of Marcus Rashford that was vandalised with racist graffiti has been repaired.
The artwork, on Copson Street in Manchester, was defaced and the footballer, 23, targeted with online abuse after he missed a penalty in the Euro final.
Heartwarming messages of love and support afterward appeared on the mural as locals in Withington stood together against racism and hate.
Street artist AkseP19, who was responsible for the original community project, was seen fixing it this morning.
England players Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were also bombarded with disgusting slurs and monkey emojis on social media after the Three Lions fell to Italy.
Greater Manchester Police has launched an investigation after a number of swear words were daubed across the mural alongside the word ‘Saka’.
Rashford said seeing the public’s heartwarming response to the vandalism ‘had him on the verge of tears’.
He wrote: ‘The communities that always wrapped their arms around me continue to hold me up.
‘I’m Marcus Rashford, 23 years old, black man from Withington and Wythenshawe, South Manchester. If I have nothing else I have that.’
The Manchester United forward said he felt like he’d ‘let everyone down’ when he hit the post in the high-stakes game on Sunday.
He said: ’A penalty was all I’d been asked to contribute for the team. I can score penalties in my sleep so why not that one?
‘It’s been playing in my head over and over since I struck the ball and there’s probably not a word to quite describe how it feels.
‘Final. 55 years. One penalty. History. All I can say is sorry. I wish it had gone differently.’
He promised he and the England team would be ‘back stronger’ as he thanked fans for their support last night.
The impressive young man has raised millions for charity during the pandemic and forced a Government U-turn over free school meals.
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