Marcus Rashford is expected to leave Manchester United this summer after completing a loan to Aston Villa and the forward has one demand he does not want to give up on
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Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford looks set to leave Manchester United this summer
(Image: Getty Images)
Marcus Rashford is holding out for Champions League football. The forward is set to return to Manchester United following the end of his loan to Aston Villa, but will depart Old Trafford this summer and his future remains up in the air
Rashford joined Villa on loan earlier this year after falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim. The forward found a new lease of life under Unai Emery before injury curtailed his season.
The Midlands side agreed a £40million option to sign the 27-year-old as part of his loan deal. But, despite Emery apparently being keen to extend Rashford's stay, the United academy product's preference has been elsewhere.
And after defeat to the Red Devils at the weekend, the Villans failed to qualify for the Champions League. That would appear to kill any hope of Rashford being persuaded to sign permanently at Villa Park.
Marking the end of his first spell away from United, Rashford nevertheless expressed his gratitude to the club. He said on social media: "Just a message of thanks to everyone here at Villa for what has (injury aside) been an incredible few months for me.
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"It is a really special club and I appreciated the way Villa fans embraced me with open arms from 1st minute on the pitch.
"Manager, team, and coaching staff have all been brilliant. I know it is a huge disappointment not to have made the Champions League place which everyone worked so hard all season for but I know this club and team will come back stronger."
With United keen to bring money into the club this summer, after making their whole squad available for sale, they are now in a position where a quick deal for Rashford seems unlikely. The striker will hold out for a move that can offer a place in Europe's top competition.
Rashford wants to play Champions League football
Rashford wants to play Champions League football
Rashford is understood to be keen on a move to Barcelona, over a transfer to a Premier League rival. The Catalan club's sporting director, Deco, has admitted that Barca are interested in Rashford and Liverpool winger Luis Diaz this summer.
"We like Luis, we like Rashford, and we like other players," Deco told Catalan radio station RAC 1. "Out of respect, talking about players who are under contract with other clubs is complicated.
"When we go to the market, there are names we know that could improve the team."
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