Manchester United in ‘big trouble’ after agreed Aston Villa terms for Marcus Rashford
Manchester United could be in “big trouble” after Marcus Rashford signed for Aston Villa, Paul Merson has said.
The Villans struck a loan deal for the England star after falling out of favour with Ruben Amorim.
The B6 outfit can make the move permanent with an option to buy the 27-year-old for £40 million at the end of the season.
Unai Emery‘s side has agreed to pay 75 per cent of Rashford’s £315,000 a week wages in a major show of ambition (BBC).
Manchester United agreement shatters Old Trafford
Merson believes that the Old Trafford outfit could regret the decision to include the buy option in the deal for the Three Lions star.
Speaking live on Sky Sports News (8 February, 12:14), Merson said: “If he can get his head right and he clears it, if he can sort that out, Manchester United could be in big trouble.
“You’re getting this lad, who could easily get you 20 goals a season when his head is right, and they could buy him for £40m.
“If he gets his head right, Man United will be pulling their hair out.”
Marcus Rashford to seal permanent Aston Villa transfer
The former Red Devils star is set to make his debut in the FA Cup clash with Tottenham on 9 February.
He needs to hit the ground running at Villa Park to make his loan move a success, with NSWE said to be taking a sensational transfer gamble.
Paying the majority of his lofty salary when the player has scored four Premier League goals in 15 appearances could backfire spectacularly if he fails to turn his poor season around.
However, it may be a case of Rashford needing to escape the toxic environment at Old Trafford to rediscover his form and he could thrive in B6.
If that turns out to be true, it could be a masterstroke and he could fire Emery’s charges to another Champions League berth for next season.
There is plenty of motivation for the Three Lions star to perform for the Villans, not least his frustration with how he was treated extraordinarily by Amorim but also a chance to get himself into new England boss Thomas Tuchel’s plans.
If Rashford can take the chip on his shoulder and use it to get the best out of himself on the pitch, he could be a very dangerous asset for Emery and find a starring role in the Champions League and for the national team once again.
It is a very ambitious move from Villa but one that could pay off brilliantly if the United academy graduate can find his form.