Marcus Rashford gets engaged to childhood sweetheart Lucia Loi in Hollywood

PREMIER League ace Marcus Rashford proposed to his childhood sweetheart while on a romantic trip to Hollywood.

The Manchester United forward, 24, popped the question to Lucia Loi, also 24, as they toured celebrity hangouts in Los Angeles.

A source said: “They’re over the moon. Marcus has been planning this for a while and wanted to make it special.

“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 Manchester United teammate Jesse Lingard.”

Rashford and Lucia flew to the US after his United team was beaten 1-0 by Crystal Palace on the last day of the season.

They are believed to have dined at celebrity seafood restaurant Catch LA, which serves oysters, jumbo shrimps, sauteed snapper and an £85 lobster.

The pair enjoyed a night on its roof terrace with views over the Hollywood skyline and private dining for its A-list clients.

They then returned to their villa, where Rashford popped the question and was left beaming after university graduate Lucia agreed to marry him.

A source said: "All involved are thrilled at the recent news of the engagement.

"Lucia has been a big part of Marcus' life since school, offering stability, a sense of belonging, a relatability, and assurance, that can be rare to find in this world.

"This is a very special, welcomed, moment for them both and everyone wished them nothing but the best."

The pair first fell for each other at Ashton on Mersey School, in Sale, Greater Manchester, when they were 15.

But after nine years together, they split in May last year, blaming the pandemic and lockdown pressures.

They reunited in January this year.

Anti-child poverty campaigner Rashford has struggled to hold down a place in the United side after having shoulder surgery.

He started just 13 league games and was left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the Nations League matches next month.

But Rashford has vowed to fight for his place at the World Cup in Qatar later this year.