Marcus Rashford issues statement ahead of impending tabloid story

Marcus Rashford has taken to social media ahead of an impending tabloid story accusing him of posing with a controversial rapper.

The Manchester United forward shared a statement to his Instagram story after being contacted by the unnamed publication.

In the post, Rashford wrote: "Been contacted today by a tabloid informing me that they plan to publish a photo of me with a rapper apparently taken over a year ago.

"I want to make it clear I have never seen this photo, I do not know this person, and I am not friends with him.

"Like most footballers, if someone asks for a photo with me, I will never refuse but I am obviously not able to do a background check on every individual that asks me for a photo.

"Can I please urge the tabloids rather than focusing on me, to use their platforms to help raise positive awareness on the many charities and individuals that work daily throughout the UK to tackle knife crime to prevent more families suffering tragic loss.

"My deepest sympathy goes to the family of Jimmy Mizen."

It is understood the photo relates to Jake Fahri, who was convicted of the murder of schoolboy Jimmy Mizen in 2008.

Now 35 years old, Fahri was released from prison in June 2023 after serving 14 years of a life sentence.

The Sun report that drill rapper TEN is in fact Fahri, with the balaclava-wearing artist's songs said to be boasting about killing a man.

Then aged 19, Fahri attacked Mizen in a London bakery in May 2008, smashing him in the face with a glass baking dish.

The attack left the 16-year-old with a neck wound which saw him bleed to death in the arms of his brother Tommy.

In one of his songs, TEN says: "Stuck it on a man and watched him melt like Ben and Jerry’s. Sharpen up my blade I’ve got to keep those necessary."

Meanwhile, another contains the lyrics: "See a man’s soul fly from his eyes and his breath gone. Seeing blood spilled same floor he was left on."

Rashford was not named in the United squad for Thursday night's Premier League clash with Southampton at Old Trafford.

The 27-year-old has been included just once in the last eight matches.

Of those, Rashford had missed United's previous three fixtures through illness.