Marcus Rashford of Aston Villa arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Villa and Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester United academy graduate Marcus Rashford may have to look abroad for his next move after Aston Villa's defeat to the Reds on Sunday
Marcus Rashford faces an uncertain future at Aston Villa after his loan spell from Manchester United came to an end.
Villa have the option to sign Rashford on a permanent deal for £40million this summer. However, United may have inadvertently ended any hope of the Villans triggering that option. The Reds beat Unai Emery's side 2-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday - ending their hopes of securing Champions League football for next season.
The Claret and Blues will now need to be extra mindful of their Profit and Sustainability (PSR) position after missing out on the £100m jackpot that Europe's elite competition would have provided them.
Villa fans were left frustrated at the sales of key players Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby last summer, with their exits linked to the club's PSR position. United were forced into a similar decision when they had to let the reliable Scott McTominay go, much to the frustration of many at Old Trafford.
And now £40m for Rashford may be a price too big to pay for Villa as they ponder a campaign in the Europa League. It should be said that even if the Villans had earned a Champions League spot, there would have been no guarentee of him staying in Birmingham.
Four goals, two against Championship side Preston, are hardly outstanding numbers, even if he did pick up an injury late in the season. While overall performances have been better at Villa Park compared to his output this season for United, he has done little to justify a club paying £40m, plus his hefty wages on top of that.
There are also reports that he is more keen on a move abroad. Barcelona have been heavily linked, although their finances have also been an issue.
It leaves United's academy graduate with plenty to ponder. Any move back to M16 while Ruben Amorim is in charge feels remote.
Rashford's career now feels at a crossroads, and aged 27, he should be in the prime of his career. United need him sold to earn pure profit from a sale. The question is just whether there is a club outside of the Premier League that could afford such an expensive deal for someone who has failed to fully convince on the pitch for some time.
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