Marcus Rashford has been in fine form since joining Aston Villa on loan from Manchester United, but a Red Devils legends reckons he should return to Old Trafford in the summer
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Updated 16:51, 21 Mar 2025
Marcus Rashford of Aston Villa looks on
Marcus Rashford has been encouraged to return to Man United and earn him place in the side back
(Image: Getty Images)
Bryan Robson thinks Marcus Rashford ought to say no to a permanent move to Aston Villa and work his way back into Manchester United's team.
The 27-year-old left his boyhood club in January after his relationship with new United boss Ruben Amorim deteriorated, and has been in good form since joining Villa on loan. Unai Emery's team are outperforming United in the league and are into the latter stages of the Champions League, with Rashford notching four assists in nine games.
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But despite his uptick in form - particularly after a disappointing last 18 months at Old Trafford - Robson has challenged the notion that Rashford is relishing his football at a new club. "I'm talking about ex-players saying that as soon as he went to Villa, he was enjoying his football again," he told the Express.
"Hold on a minute. You are so fortunate to be a football player. If I'm at Man United, I'm enjoying my football, or I should be enjoying my football, and I'm going to work hard to try and make the team successful.
"So when you go to Villa, it's no different from playing for Man United. You try and enjoy your game and do the best you can. So there's no excuses."
Villa have the option to permanently sign Rashford for £40million in the summer transfer window, which they are reportedly likely to exercise. Though his future is far from sealed, it would raise a few eyebrows if he stayed at United given his relationship with Amorim.
Marcus Rashford in England training
Marcus Rashford is smiling again, and is back in the England setup(Image: (Image: Getty))
Yet Robson believes Rashford can return to his dazzling best and carve out a redemption story at Old Trafford in the forthcoming season. "Marcus has unbelievable talent and should be doing better for Manchester United. He shouldn't even be moving on to Aston Villa. He should be giving his best for Man United," he said.
"[Whether he comes back] is the manager's and Marcus's decision. But for me, he's got the talent, and you've got to get the best out of him. And Marcus has got to get the best out of himself, and he should be a Man United player next year."
Rashford's form may have picked up at Villa, but he is yet to score for his new team. After netting 30 times in all competitions for United back in 2022/23, he managed just 15 over the following season-and-a-half.
Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson wants to see Marcus Rashford back at Man United
His poor form saw him fall out of the England picture. However, he returned to the fold after being included in new Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel's first squad earlier this month.
Robson - a former United and England skipper - played over 450 times for the Red Devils. He signed for the club from West Brom in 1981 and went on to win six major honours, including two Premier League titles and three FA Cups, before leaving for Middlesbrough in 1994.