Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has backed up his off-field philanthropy with some on-field fireworks, netting three goals in a 5-0 Champions League thrashing of RB Leipzig.

The 22-year-old has been praised for his quest to provide free meals for under-privileged children in the UK, despite Parliament rejecting legislation that would have extended the program over the school holidays from October through the Easter break.

And while his attention is elsewhere off the field, Rashford’s focus was on goal in the group clash with German side RB Leipzig.

He did not get onto the field until the 63rd minute, with the score at 1-0, and quickly went about building that lead.

The England forward ran onto a first-time pass from Bruno Fernandes and slotted home to make it 2-0 in the 74th, building on the first-half opener by Mason Greenwood that made the 19-year-old forward United’s second-youngest scorer in the Champions League, after Wayne Rooney.

Rashford’s quick feet saw him charge through Leipzig’s open defence and drive in his second goal in the 78th and, after Anthony Martial made it 4-0 from the penalty spot, the French striker teed up Rashford to completed his first top-flight hat-trick in the second minute of injury time.

Many of his supporters, including former United defender Rio Ferdinand, were impressed by his multi-tasking abilities.

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Rashford was this year given an MBE for his work lobbying the UK Government to address child poverty, which won the backing of Prime Minister Boris Johnson after drawing attention on social media.

But the future of the program could lie in the hands of private businesses, with Parliament voting down funding a six-month extension this week.

Rashford started a petition earlier this month to expand the program and it climbed above 1 million signatures on the same day as his hat-trick.

Mr Johnson said his Government would make sure “no pupil in the UK will go hungry”, saying they had given “specific sums” to local councils to help support families in need.

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he supported Rashford’s mission, but backed the Government to accomplish it with current measures.

“[But] 63 million pounds ($116 million) has gone to councils … so that they can support people and make sure that everybody and every child gets the support that they need.”

Doctors said some 4 million children live in poverty in the UK, and one-third rely on free school meals.

The Opposition Labour Party has warned it will bring the issue back to the House of Commons if ministers do not change course in time for Christmas.

“We are honestly hoping that the Conservative Government dig deep and look introspectively and perform a U-turn on this,” Shadow Minister for Mental Health Rosena Allin-Khan said.

AP/ABC



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