Marcus Rashford is on loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United
Marcus Rashford is on loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United
Marcus Rashford's future at Manchester United continues to be a topic of debate even though he is no longer at Old Trafford. Yes, the deal with Aston Villa is only a loan until the end of the season, but fresh reports suggest the 27-year-old may not wear a Reds shirt again.
United allowed Rashford to leave the club during the January transfer window after the forward did not feature in 13 consecutive appearances for the club before his exit. A loan deal with Villa was agreed, which is thought to include an option to make the move permanent for a £40million fee in the summer.
Nine appearances, four assists and zero goals later, and it seems Rashford's chances of having a long-term future at United look rather slim. The Daily Star have reported that Ruben Amorim has no plans to have Rashford back in the first-team squad next season, with the club looking for a permanent sale when the transfer window opens.
Villa could be a likely destination, although Barcelona were also in the mix during the January window. If United can get the £40million fee, or better, for Rashford's signature it would hand a double boost to Amorim.
The United head coach was clear as to the reason why he and United allowed Rashford to leave the club last month.
"What I say is that I couldn’t [get] Marcus to see the way you’re supposed to play football and to train the way I see it," said Amorim last month. "And sometimes you have one player who is really good with one coach and the same player with another coach is different.
"I just wish the best to Rashford and Unai Emery, and they can connect because he’s a very good player."
One boost would be the transfer fee. Amorim would certainly like to bolster the United squad in the summer with his own signings, and receiving a fee for a player who's not part of his plans would be a welcome boost.
Yes, United would then face the task of searching for a long-term replacement for Rashford, which won't be easy. However, signing a new player who fits into the style of play and system that Amorim wants may be a better solution for United going forward.
Another boost would be Amorim no longer having a player who does not fit into his long-term plans. Rashford is a talented player, no doubt about it, but United would be wise to back their head coach when it comes to the players he wants at his disposal.
Only time will tell if the decision for United and Rashford to part ways turns out to be the right call for both parties. If Rashford can kickstart his career at Villa or elsewhere, and United can use the funds from the deal to bring in a suitable replacement, everyone will be happy.
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