In pictures: Marcus Rashford mural covered in messages of support after racist graffiti

Local residents in Withington, Manchester, rallied round to replace the abuse with love hearts

Hundreds of messages of support were added to the mural of England footballer Marcus Rashford after it was defaced with graffiti.

Residents in Withington, Manchester, posted sticky notes, love hearts and England flags on the black bin liners covering up the abuse, which appeared shortly after the team’s loss to Italy on penalties at the Euro 2020 final. Police are investigating the incident as racially aggravated criminal damage.

Rashford, who missed his penalty, said in a Twitter post on Monday night that the response from his community “had me on the verge of tears”.

He added: “I can take critique of my performance all day long, my penalty was not good enough, it should have gone in but I will never apologise for who I am and where I came from.

“The messages I have received today have been positively overwhelming... The communities that always wrapped their arms around me continue to hold me up. I’m Marcus Rashford, 23 year old, black man from Withington and Wythenshawe, South Manchester. If I have nothing else, I have that.”

Here are a selection of pictures from the scene:

Local resident Ed Wellard tapes bin liners over graffiti on the mural of Marcus Rashford in Copson Street, Withington. (PA)

The community of Withington decorate the empty spaces with messages of support (Getty Images)

Some of the messages of support on the mural (Getty Images)

Ruby Scarry, aged 7, and sister Reeva, 4, place their messages of support (PA)

Residents continued to post messages support at the mural throughout the day (PA)