Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is on the verge of securing a loan move to Aston Villa, with the Midlands club reportedly agreeing to cover the majority of his £325,000-a-week wages. The deal, which could include a permanent transfer option, marks a significant turn in the England international’s career after falling out of favor under United’s head coach, Ruben Amorim.
Reports from The Athletic and Fabrizio Romano indicate that final negotiations are underway, with Villa offering performance-based incentives to sweeten the agreement. The club’s ability to fund the deal follows the recent £64 million sale of Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr.
Rashford, 27, has been sidelined at Old Trafford since December 12 and is eager to revive his career after a challenging period under Erik ten Hag and Amorim. His relationship with Amorim deteriorated following reports of a Friday night outing before a match against Everton, which led to disciplinary issues. Amorim publicly criticized Rashford, further deepening the rift between player and manager.
With limited interest from European giants like Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Monaco, and AC Milan due to financial constraints, Villa’s offer presents a fresh start for Rashford in the Premier League. The potential of playing in the Champions League with Unai Emery’s high-flying side is also an appealing prospect.
Should Rashford complete his Villa move, Manchester United may pursue Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel as a replacement. Meanwhile, speculation continues about whether Rashford’s departure is part of a broader restructuring led by new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Some sources suggest Ratcliffe has encouraged Amorim to push the forward out.
As Rashford prepares to leave Old Trafford, former United legends Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, and Paul Scholes have weighed in, with Scholes notably criticizing Rashford’s attitude and influence on younger players. The move to Villa could offer the forward a much-needed opportunity to reset his career and prove his doubters wrong.
