An appeal in the Times is aiming to raise funds and Rashford revealed Ferguson, alongside Sir Michael Moritz, will match donations up to the aforementioned sum and described the news as "incredible".

Ferguson, 78, grew up in Glasgow in tough conditions and believes Rashford has done a great job in highlighting the plight facing families across Britain.

"You have to be shocked at the number of people who are in need of food," he said in an interview with the Times.

"Marcus has opened the eyes of everyone in Britain. The work he's done has been fantastic and we're all so proud of him because of that.

"What Marcus has done is he's led the way – people will say, 'That boy he's only 23 years of age'. People who are in their later ages...should be saying, 'I can do something'."

Rashford never played under Ferguson, making his United debut as an 18-year-old three years after the long-serving boss retired.

But he has now left a mark on Ferguson – a winner of 13 Premier League titles during his 25-year reign – off the field.

"He should be giving me some advice because what he's doing at 23 is fantastic for a young person," added Ferguson.

"I've no need to tell Marcus because I think there's humility in the way he lives his life. His feet are on the ground.

"These are great qualities to carry you through life. Football hasn't changed him. There is a danger in football that it can change people, money can change people, stardom can change people.

"Getting a celebrity position in life can sometimes be a problem because not everyone can carry success well. And at the moment Marcus is doing that very, very well."