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Railston: Aston Villa star aims subtle dig at Manchester United over Marcus Rashford

Man Utd academy graduate Marcus Rashford has hit form since moving to Aston Villa on loan in the winter transfer window.

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McGinn was asked about Rashford.(Image: PLZ Soccer - The Football Show)

Aston Villa captain John McGinn has said Marcus Rashford now has teammates "who will graft for him".

The relationship between Rashford and Ruben Amorim broke down in December and the Manchester United academy graduate joined Aston Villa on loan in the winter transfer window.

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The option to make the move permanent was included in the deal and Rashford has been given the opportunity to play in the Champions League knockout rounds. The forward is yet to score at Villa Park, but he has contributed four assists and has been recalled to the England squad.

The signing of Rashford provided Villa with a boost ahead of the business end of the campaign. Unai Emery's squad was also strengthened by the arrival of Marco Asensio on loan.

Rashford and Asensio have enjoyed fine starts to life in Birmingham, and McGinn appeared to take a dig when suggesting they now have teammates "who will graft for them" on the pitch.

"Marcus and Marco showed glimpses which have proved they are at the highest level," the midfielder told The Mirror. "They have maybe lost their way, for certain reasons, but what they will both get from us is love and support and teammates who will graft for them.

"We want them to be happy again. And every day that you see them, they have a smile on their face. That's when you know footballers are happy and at their best.

"Against Club Brugge, Marcus played his best game in that second half and was a constant threat. If we can get those two firing, they're a pair that every club in the country would take."

Thomas Tuchel named his first England squad for the March international break and praised Rashford when he explained his decision to include him in his squad. "I felt Marcus had a huge impact at Aston Villa," said Tuchel. "He's made a huge impact mainly from the bench and the impact was impressive.

"The physical impact was impressive and most importantly, the impact against the ball - his work rate, his defensive impact, his hard work in counter-pressing, his tracking back in his position was impressive.

"I had the strong feeling that we should nominate him, bring him in to push him to stay on that level and not fall back in old routines. This camp is to bond with him and push him to stay on that level."

Rashford is the only representative from United in the England squad this month.

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