Marcus Rashford is ENGAGED to high school sweetheart

Manchester United footballer and MBE recipient Marcus Rashford is now set to marry his childhood sweetheart after proposing while on a postseason getaway in California.

The Premier League striker got down on one knee for long-time girlfriend Lucia Loi yesterday, less than a week after United ended their season in defeat to Crystal Palace.

The pair, both aged 24, have been dating since the age of 15 when they were pupils at Ashton on Mersey school in Greater Manchester.

Rashford had been planning the proposal for weeks and popped the question to Lucia at a lavish villa after they shared a romantic meal at celebrity seafood restaurant Catch LA, a source told The Sun.

'They went out in LA for a romantic night together on Tuesday and he proposed. It was extremely romantic.

'They celebrated afterwards with a group of close friends — including his United teammate Jesse Lingard,' the source said.

Rashford shared news of the engagement on Instagram, posting an image of the pair embracing as they stood atop a bed of white roses in front of a heart-shaped archway.

Another source said: 'All involved are thrilled at the recent news of the engagement,' and spoke of Lucia's influence on the Premier League star, who has received plaudits for his charitable work off the field but has struggled to perform on it since having shoulder surgery.

'Lucia has been a big part of Marcus' life... offering stability, a sense of belonging and assurance that can be rare to find,' the source told The Sun.

The high school sweethearts had been together for eight years when difficulties associated with the Covid pandemic triggered a split.

But the pair confirmed they had reunited in January of this year.

News of the engagement comes just days after