(Image: Cameron Smith - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Former Manchester United coach Kieran McKenna has outlined his hope for Marcus Rashford’s loan move to Aston Villa.
The forward signed on loan until the end of the season at Villa Park late in the January transfer window. He had fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim and spoke of his desire to try a new challenge ahead of the window opening.
Rashford made his debut for Unai Emery’s side by coming off the bench in the FA Cup fourth round win over Tottenham last weekend. He will have a chance to make his league debut for the club when they take on McKenna’s Ipswich Town at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off).
Ahead of the game, the Ipswich boss delivered his verdict on Rashford’s move to Villa from United.
“I think Marcus at his best would be an addition to any team in the league really so yes, we know what a threat he is,” he said in his pre-match press conference on Thursday. “Of course, the boys faced him as well not so long ago with Man United, but I've also seen him up close at his best as well and he can be a fantastic player.”
Before joining Ipswich as manager, McKenna spent five years working in various positions at United, including youth team manager. He worked with Rashford directly when he became assistant manager in 2018.
The manager believes that the move to Villa will be a good one for Rashford as he look to rebuild his confidence.
He added: “I had known him for a little bit longer because he'd come through the academy set up and I joined the academy set up just after he'd progressed to the first team but we faced him in the FA Youth Cup. I was close with the academy coaches who worked with him so it was pretty easy for me to build a good relationship and a good trust with him and he's not so much of a young player anymore but he was when I worked on that.
“Most young players, building that trust and that rapport is important. We managed to have that and he's a big talent so hopefully this will be a good move for him in terms of getting back into form and playing regularly which I'm sure he'll want to do.
“And I'm sure he had some different options and has made his judgement on the right criteria. He certainly went to a good club to play under a top manager whose team are still in a lot of competitions.
“So yes, I hope it goes well for him but of course not on Saturday.”
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