The 18-year-old forward’s name wasn’t even listed in the Manchester United match programme. Ninety minutes later his name was on the lips of football fans worldwide.
An injury to French striker Anthony Martial in the warmup gave Manchester-born Marcus Rashford his chance, his debut for his boyhood club. To paraphrase Eminem, he had one shot, one opportunity to seize everything he ever wanted in one moment. And, boy, did he capture it.
He scored two goals on that first appearance- a Europa League tie against FC Midtjylland – and followed it up with another brace three days later in a Premier League clash with Arsenal.
Just weeks earlier, Rashford had been performing in United’s youth teams, before one slice of luck transformed his career and life. I was reminded of this earlier this week when Jimmy Dunne, a Queens Park Rangers defender, was called up to the Republic of Ireland squad. I interviewed Jimmy, a team-mate of Rashford’s in United’s academy sides, for my second book, “The Transfer Market: The Inside Stories” a few years ago. Dunne joined United when he was ten years old but felt it was never going to work out at Old Trafford. “It made more sense for me to go somewhere that I might have an opportunity,” he admitted.
A move to Burnley was followed by a series of loans, to Barrow, Accrington Stanley, Hearts, Sunderland and Fleetwood Town. A permanent switch to Queens Park Rangers came in 2021, where he has become a mainstay in central defence and a much-loved figure at Loftus Road. His perseverance and determination to succeed was rewarded this week with that call-up to the Irish squad.
A quick glance at a Man United Under-18s team photo from 2015 reveals that not everyone had the luck or determination to succeed at the highest level. Dunne and Rashford’s team-mates included Zach Dearnley, Ollie Byrne, Ro-Shaun Williams, Ethan Hamilton, Tyrrell Warren, Callum Gribbin, Callum Whelan, Tyler Reid and Tosin Kehinde. They’re now plying their trade at the likes of FC United of Manchester, Larne, Lincoln City, Grimsby Town, Carlisle United and Finnish side Vaasan Palloseura.
Luck and determination are also two intertwined elements that play a significant role in successful marketing. As nine-time major winner, Gary Player, once said, “The more I practice, the luckier I get.” While luck may bring unexpected opportunities, it is determination that enables marketers to seize these moments and turn them into success stories. In marketing, luck often favours the prepared. Brands that stay attuned to market trends, consumer behaviour and emerging technologies are more likely to find themselves in the right place at the right time. For example, brands that embraced social media platforms like TikTok early on capitalised on its potential, gaining a substantial advantage over competitors who were slower to adapt.
Determination is an essential trait that drives marketers to pursue their goals relentlessly. In marketing, it manifests itself in various ways – whether it’s a marketer’s commitment to conducting thorough research, testing new ideas or analysing data to refine campaigns. Moreover, determination allows marketers to create their own luck. By engaging with their audiences, testing new ideas and staying ahead of trends, marketers can increase their chances of stumbling upon a successful campaign or viral moment. This proactive approach transforms luck from a random occurrence into a more predictable outcome.
At tentenseven we have the determination to take your brand to the next level. Get in touch at [email protected] – it could be your lucky day.
