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Unai Emery answers whether Aston Villa will sign Marcus Rashford permanently from Manchester United.
Aston Villa must consider a host of factors before deciding to activate their £40 million option to purchase Marcus Rashford from Man Utd, manager Unai Emery has confirmed.
The brace-scoring hero as Villa saw off Preston North End by three goals to nil to reach the FA Cup semi-finals, Rashford finally got off the mark for his new club. The winger had assisted four Marco Asensio strikes in his first eight appearances but was yet to score a goal of his own. Now he boasts a tally of two.
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Villa were very unconvincing in the first half at Deepdale but Preston opened up in the second period, affording Emery’s men space and time in behind. Rashford broke the deadlock in the 58th minute by slotting past Dai Cornell from a Lucas Digne cross, before adding a second from the penalty spot just five minutes later. Jacob Ramsey then put the result beyond doubt with a wonderful solo goal.
They say never fall in love with a loan player but Villa fans already have a great fondness for two – both Rashford and Asensio. As there’s a clause to buy the former permanently, there have already been calls for the club to activate it. Understandably so.
Emery isn’t getting ahead of himself, however, and insists Villa must see out the season before any decision is made. Qualification for Europe is an important factor, Villa are still having to tread a fine line with PSR, and it’s understood Rashford would need to lower his wage demands.
“Not yet,” Emery responded when asked if Villa have made a decision. “The most important thing is the challenge now and this afternoon, recovering and then preparing for the match against Brighton. Still, there are a lot of matches to play.
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“If we are in the Champions League, if we are in the Europa League, if we are in the European Conference League or not in Europe or winning a trophy, it is completely different. A decision about each individual player, it is to get the best of them and the best of us. We don’t want to waste time thinking about it.”
Aston Villa supporters serenade Rashford
Regardless of whether Villa decide to sign Rashford or not, the 62-time England international, serenaded for his efforts by a 5,000-strong Villa contingent in the Bill Shankly Kop at Deepdale, has certainly been made to feel welcome in the West Midlands.
From the moment he arrived through the doors at Villa Park, Rashford felt the love. He had been hung out to dry at Old Trafford by Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim but Emery and sporting director Monchi believed they could help Rashford return to his scintillating best.
There have already been signs of the attacker’s strongest form returning as he has adapted very quickly to Emery’s demanding system. Amorim claimed Rashford didn’t put in enough effort at United but there’s been no sign of that poor attitude at Villa, with his work rate exemplary to date so far.
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From first impressions, Villa Park becoming Rashford’s permanent home would be a great decision for all parties. The current focus is on the here and now, though. After that, who knows what may happen.