Rashford is back in the conversation - here's how he is faring at Aston Villa game-by-game during his loan spell away from Man Utd
It has been 12 months since Marcus Rashford last appeared for England, a 15-minute cameo off the bench against Brazil at Wembley.
With his Manchester United form dipping, Rashford then failed to make Gareth Southgate’s final squad for Euro 2024, while interim England boss Lee Carsley also overlooked the 27-year-old when naming his three squads over the course of the autumn Nations League fixtures.
This 16-match absence from England duty suggested the national team set-up had moved on, particularly with a bountiful supply of younger forwards enjoying their own emergence.
Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, Jarrod Bowen, Dominic Solanke, Noni Madueke were in England’s most recent squad, while Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Jack Grealish were all injury withdrawals.
Add Eberechi Eze to the mix, so too Arsenal’s 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri – “an England player for the next 10 to 15 years” according to Joe Cole – and there is surely too much competition for Rashford now.
However, he is making his own play, with his loan move to Aston Villa aimed at reviving his domestic career.
But has he done enough in two months to feature in Thomas Tuchel’s first squad next week?
We take a look at his seven appearances for Villa before delivering our own verdict.
Game 1: Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham
Rashford made his Villa debut off the bench in the FA Cup win, playing the final 24 minutes. This was about dusting the cobwebs off, having been exiled by Ruben Amorim at United since early December.
Twenty-two touches, a dribble and two tackles helped him find his feet on the left wing.
Game 2: Aston Villa 1-1 Ipswich
Arguably the best player on the pitch when replacing Jacob Ramsey for the second half, Rashford looked eager to impress, nutmegging full-back Ben Johnson during one of six dribbles, creating the most chances (four) of any player and hitting the post with his free-kick before Watkins scored the rebound.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 15: Marcus Rashford of Aston Villa in action during the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Ipswich Town FC at Villa Park on February 15, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
Rashford impressed off the bench against Ipswich (Photo: Getty)
Game 3: Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool
Making his first Villa start, Rashford got a further 67 minutes under his belt and once more impressed, watching an effort get cleared off the line before winning the free-kick which resulted in Youri Tielemans’ equaliser.
Game 4: Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
A game-changing appearance off the bench, Rashford was once more brought on at half-time and assisted both of Marco Asensio’s goals as Villa fought back to beat Chelsea.
The first was a quick-thinking low cross, the second a cross from further out wide, and it capped off another display where Rashford looked to make something happen every time he touched the ball.
“That sub made all the difference,” Jamie Redknapp said on Sky Sports.
“He was fantastic. The Holte End have a new hero. He gave energy, enthusiasm, everything we want to see from him. The running, the desire… he was excellent.”
Aston Villa's Marcus Rashford (centre) after providing the assist for his sides first goal of the game scored by Aston Villa's Marco Asensio (left) during the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. Picture date: Saturday February 22, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Villa. Photo credit should read: Jacob King/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Rashford assisted Asensio twice against Chelsea (Photo: PA)
Game 5: Crystal Palace 4-1 Aston Villa
Just 22 minutes off the bench in a forgetful game. Villa were only trailing 2-1 when Rashford came on, but he saw little of the ball (11 touches) as Palace finished with a flourish.
Not ideal given Tuchel was in attendance at Selhurst Park.
Game 6: Aston Villa 2-0 Cardiff City
A second start and a third assist for Asensio – another first-time cutback for the Spaniard – with Rashford playing 82 minutes, his most of any game so far at Villa.
“I know what he wants to do,” Asensio said on their seemingly telepathic understanding.
By full-time, Opta noted that Rashford had created more chances in all competitions than any other Premier League player (13) since his Villa debut on 9 February.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Marco Asensio of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-0 with Marcus Rashford during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Aston Villa and Cardiff City at Villa Park on February 28, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Rashford assisted Asensio again against Cardiff (Photo: Getty)
Game 7: Club Brugge 1-3 Aston Villa
This was Rashford’s third start and his most ineffective display to date.
He started brightly, as did Villa, but they were then outplayed for the majority of the match before good fortune and a late double – once Rashford had been subbed off – turned the tie in their favour.
The verdict: Should Tuchel pick Rashford?
Seven games in less than a month should become eight assuming Rashford plays a part against Brentford on Saturday afternoon, and it is important the forward bounces back from a poor showing in Belgium.
That was the anomaly among his seven displays so far, where he has certainly done enough to revitalise his England prospects.
He is creating chances, playing with a smile on his face, and is notably in better form than players like Palmer, Foden and Grealish.
Normally that would be enough to make the cut, but the fact this has only been a month could count against Rashford.
Recent England experience suggests at least Foden and Palmer may be among the forwards and attacking midfielders picked ahead of him.
Captain Kane is a certainty, arguably No 9 back-up Watkins as well – and with Eze, Gordon, Bowen and Arsenal’s thriving wildcard Nwaneri also in contention, Rashford is part of a crop firmly in the maybe pile.
Tuchel could even find himself choosing between Rashford and his current Villa teammate Morgan Rogers, who has been more consistent over a longer period this season.
Stepping into Tuchel’s shoes, it would perhaps be wise to give Rashford a call, tell him how impressive his first month has been, but explain that he has been overlooked – for now.
Rashford’s own endeavour has commendably reopened the door, but it would arguably be more beneficial for him to remain at Bodymoor Heath and continue working on his fitness, given he is yet to complete a full 90 for Villa, averaging 50 minutes per match.
Should he finish the campaign in a similar vein of form then he will leave Tuchel with no choice but to pick him for June’s World Cup qualifiers.
But seven games, zero goals, three assists and 349 minutes may not be enough to make March’s squad to face Albania and Latvia at Wembley.
Score against Brentford or Bruges next week, however, and the conversation will change again.