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Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe opens up on Marcus Rashford’s transfer to Aston Villa – and hints it could become permanent.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has suggested it’s for the best that Marcus Rashford has moved away from Manchester United, hinting a permanent transfer has already been agreed ahead of this summer.
Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim made it clear in December that Rashford was no longer part of his plans and owner Ratcliffe agreed, giving the green light for the attacker to depart in the winter transfer window. A whole host of top European clubs advanced with talks to sign Rashford before Aston Villa eventually swooped in and the player decided it was a suitable move.
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Villa boss Unai Emery was delighted to acquire Rashford’s services as he believes he can get the very best out of the 60-time England international. Amorim believed his work rate wasn’t anywhere near good enough but there hasn’t been any sign of that at Villa so far, with Rashford already settling in superbly in the West Midlands.
Starts haven’t been guaranteed so far but Emery has been keen to ease in his new signings, allowing them to get used to his complex structure. Rashford is yet to score for Villa but he’s already assisted three goals, all for fellow deadline day loan signing Marco Asensio, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain.
Ratcliffe hints at permanent Rashford transfer
Man Utd owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has hinted Marcus Rashford can join Aston Villa this summerMan Utd owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has hinted Marcus Rashford can join Aston Villa this summer
Man Utd owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has hinted Marcus Rashford can join Aston Villa this summer | Getty Images
It was an intelligent deal from Villa to bring in Rashford as the loan - covering around 75 per cent of his wages - includes an option to buy for £40 million. Lots of Villa fans will be calling for that clause to be triggered and it appears that could well end up happening.
Ratcliffe, who is himself a United fan, thinks Rashford’s departure was the correct decision even despite the fact he’s succeed since leaving Old Trafford. The billionaire businessman owns 28.94 per cent of Man Utd, meaning he oversees major financial decisions at the football club.
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Rashford leaving on a permanent basis falls under that bracket and Ratcliffe seems relieved to have nearly gotten one of United’s highest earners off the books. Judging by his comments, Ratcliffe may have already been given an indication that Villa – or another club – want to sign Rashford for the long-term.
“I’m pleased for Marcus Rashford, he’s moved out of Manchester,” Ratcliffe said in a recent interview with the BBC. “He (Amorim) wants a dressing room that is full of people who are totally committed to winning football matches. He won’t tolerate people who don’t have 100 per cent of that attitude.
“I think he does the right thing with the players. He’s in charge of the locker room. The boss is the boss, he has to set principles and enforce them.
“I’m pleased, he (Rashford) has moved out of Manchester, maybe that’s a good thing for him. I’m very pleased that he’s doing well, it’s good to see because he’s got tremendous talent but for whatever reason it wasn’t working in Manchester.”
In other news, people thought Emery was silly for making an expensive signing but the risky business has turned out to be a masterstroke.