Aston Villa secure Rashford on loan from Man United

Aston Villa have completed the signing of Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United for the remainder of the season, marking the end of the England international’s time in the shadows under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford. 

Once a fan favorite, Rashford has not featured for Manchester United since December 12 and expressed earlier this season that he was eager for a “new challenge.”

The 27-year-old had been linked with AC Milan and Barcelona, but both clubs were reportedly deterred by his £300,000-a-week ($372,000) wages.

According to Sky Sports, Villa will pick up at least 75 percent of that pay packet for the coming months, rising to 90 percent depending on performance-related bonuses and have an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season for £40 million.

“I was lucky to have a few clubs approach me but Aston Villa was an easy decision – I really admire the way that Aston Villa have been playing this season, and the manager’s ambitions,” said Rashford in a Villa statement.

“I just want to play football and am excited to get started. I wish everyone at Manchester United all the best for the rest of the season.”

Villa moved to bolster their attacking options after selling Colombia striker Jhon Duran to Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr on Friday for a reported £64 million.

Unai Emery’s men have qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League and still have aspirations to qualify for that tournament again next season.

Villa sit eighth in the Premier League, eight points above 13th-placed United.

Rashford scored 138 goals in 426 appearances since coming through the ranks at Old Trafford and has lifted the Europa League, two FA Cups and two League Cups as a United player.

However, his attitude and work ethic in training has been questioned by Amorim, since he took charge in November.

After last weekend’s 1-0 win at Fulham, the Portuguese coach sensationally claimed he would rather put the club’s 63-year-old goalkeeping coach, Jorge Vital, in the squad than Rashford.

“Our team should be so much better with Rashford, but he has to change,” Amorim said last week.

“If he does change, we are more than welcome to put a talent like Rashford in, and we need it.

“But in this moment I think it’s really clear that we have to set some standards. That’s all.”

A temporary switch to Villa allows Rashford a fresh start to rehabilitate his tarnished reputation after his astonishing fall from grace.

He was part of England’s World Cup squad just over two years ago and scored a career-best 30 goals in the 2022/23 campaign.

But he netted just eight times last season and has seven in 24 appearances so far this campaign.