Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford has hit the ground running at Aston Villa
Marcus Rashford makes decision on Man Utd future after Aston Villa loan move | Football
Marcus Rashford has decided he wants to complete a permanent move from Manchester United to Aston Villa when the summer transfer window opens for business.
The 27-year-old forward revealed in December he was actively seeking a new challenge away from United, the club he joined as a schoolboy aged just seven.
The bombshell revelation came after an immensely disappointing 18-month spell for Rashford, in which he managed just 11 goals in 48 appearances for the Red Devils in the Premier League.
Ruben Amorim subsequently closed the door on Rashford’s path back into the first-team and several top teams across European football were credited with an interest in the attacker in January, from AC Milan to Galatasaray.
But Villa asserted themselves as the frontrunners towards the end of the window and struck a temporary deal before the deadline, with Unai Emery’s side believed to be covering around 30 per cent of Rashford’s £325,000-a-week wages.
For the first time in a long time, Rashford appears to be playing with a spring in his step and the England international is clearly thriving under the guidance of Emery, racking up three assists in his first five games for Villa.
According to The Sun, Rashford has settled very quickly and has already made up his mind that he wishes to stay with the Villains beyond the end of the season.
Rashford is enjoying his football again under Emery
The report claims Rashford has told close friends that he feels revitalised and believes Emery is the ideal manager to help steer him back into England reckoning.
Despite Amorim’s concerns, Rashford is said to have blown his new team-mates and Emery away with his attitude and dedication on the training ground in his first few weeks at the club.
It’s been widely reported that Villa have an option in their deal to sign Rashford outright for a fee of £40million in the summer.
While Rashford’s current contract at Old Trafford runs through to 2028, Amorim has made it clear there is no way back for the two-time FA Cup winner while he remains in charge.
Rashford finest performance yet in a Villa shirt came last weekend when he came off the bench to assist both of Marco Asensio’s second-half goals in a 2-1 victory over Chelsea.
‘We support him, help him, try to feel comfortable here, try to get confidence with us,’ Emery said of Rashford’s eye-catching cameo in front of a rapturous Holte End.
‘We try to use his skill in our tactical idea. He’s in the process and of course he played a fantastic 45 minutes. Already he is going to be very important.’
Asensio made sure to thank Rashford for his two assists in the aftermath, telling Sky Sports: ‘We know the quality of Marcus
‘He helps us a lot. We are so happy. Thank you also to Marcus for the two assists!’