Troy Deeney hopes to apologise to Aston Villa fans after Marcus Rashford twist
Troy Deeney hopes to offer Marcus Rashford an apology in a year’s time ahead of his impending move to Aston Villa.
The Villans have reached an agreement with Manchester United to loan the forward until the end of the season [Fabrizio Romano] in a transfer twist after he was frozen out of the first-team frame at Old Trafford.
However, despite Unai Emery giving his seal of approval for the deal, Deeney has been a vocal critic of the Englishman and shares his hopes for the forward ahead of the move in his column for The Sun (2 February).
He wrote: “People keep telling me I’m harsh on Marcus but there is nothing personal. Marcus needs to realise that there is no agenda against him.
“When he was doing great things on and off the pitch, he was lavished with praise. He even got an MBE!
“I’d love it if in a year’s time I was writing an apology here, saying that I’d got it totally wrong about him. But I doubt if I will have reason to.
“If I do sound harsh then it’s because I know from personal experience that far worse happens to footballers who have done nothing wrong.”
Aston Villa must get the best out of Marcus Rashford
While Aston Villa’s signing of Rashford is undoubtedly a blockbuster statement, there are still a few concerns surrounding his professionalism.
Jose Mourinho, Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim have questioned his work ethic at Old Trafford as he prepares to leave his boyhood club.
The 27-year-old has failed to replicate the heights he achieved throughout the 2022/23 campaign, where his 30 goals and nine assists in 56 appearances across all competitions cemented his position as one of the most prolific goalscorers in Europe.
This season, he has managed only seven goals and three assists in 24 outings, with his brace in a 4-0 win against Everton being his last first-team showing for Manchester United.
Rashford’s move to Villa has created much intrigue, and all eyes will be on his progress in the West Midlands.
However, journalist Henry Winter has raised another major concern regarding the move, with suggestions Rashford will commute to Bodymoor Heath, but he urged the forward “to pour every minute, and every ounce of energy, into this great opportunity at Villa”.
He has the quality to elevate Aston Villa in a push for Champions League and Premier League success this year – however, it is up to the player alone to realise his potential.
In other Aston Villa news, a Villa gem is on the verge of an exit after being spotted at new club’s stadium.
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