In the back end of the January transfer window, Marcus Rashford completed a loan move to fellow Premier League side, Aston Villa, with the deal having the option to be made permanent in the summer for £40 million. Now, 27 years old and no longer United’s main man, this isn’t how Marcus or the fans would have pictured his time at the club to conclude.
This isn’t how Marcus or the fans would have pictured his time at the club to conclude
But looking at the last two seasons, it is no surprise that Rashford and the club are happy to part ways. After an incredible 2022/23 season where he bagged 30 goals in all competitions, Rashford managed to score just 15 in the following 18 months.
On top of this, the Englishman has evidently suffered at the hands of new management. With the appointment of Portuguese manager, Ruben Amorim, Rashford has found himself increasingly sidelined, either not making the starting eleven, or even being excluded from matchday squads entirely.
Upon Amorim’s arrival, Rashford was omitted from the squad in a match-up against Manchester City, with the new manager emphasising the importance of training levels and commitment.
And this is not the first time the former star has faced internal issues, as Rashford once reportedly missed a cup game against Newport due to illness, despite it being revealed that he’d been out in Belfast the night before.
Even with these issues, the England star’s place in United’s squad has been at risk for a while in light of new stand-out performers. 22-year-old Amad Diallo has simply outperformed and outscored Rashford this season, with the Ivory Coast international becoming a key player under Amorim’s new management.
22-year-old Amad Diallo has simply outperformed and outscored Rashford this season
And it isn’t just Diallo that Amorim seems to favour over Rashford, as Puskas Award winner Alejandro Garnacho has been handed increased starts as of late, with the Argentinian international starting to find his feet under new management.
Despite his recent woes for the Red Devils, there’s no reason why Rashford can reignite his old form for Aston Villa playing under Unai Emery.
Since his move, the former United star has shown promising signs that he can turn himself around, offering an encouraging and energetic display off the bench against Tottenham Hotspur on the weekend. The 27-year-old will be hoping to re-find his feet in light of his new challenge, and undoubtedly have his sights set on an eventual return to the international squad.
Now playing in a different set-up for Villa, Rashford can most definitely live up to his old potential and start hitting the back of the net again. The player who was once the star-boy at Manchester United, could still well fulfil this destiny wearing claret and blue.