Sir Jim Ratcliffe sends Rashford message in explosive Manchester United interview
Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has spoken out for the first time since Marcus Rashford joined Aston Villa on loan.
The England international joined the Villans on a temporary deal until the end of the season in the winter window and has had a positive start to life in B6.
The 27-year-old has gone on to grab three assists in claret and blue with all three coming for Marco Asensio at the Holte End.
This output will come as a blow to the Red Devils and Radcliffe who failed to get the best out of the forward in recent years.
Ratcliffe shares Rashford admission at Aston Villa
It is fair to say that it has not been sunshine and rainbows at Old Trafford for many years.
Now that responsibility has fallen on the plate of Ruben Amorim who has already come under pressure during his limited time in charge.
Despite this, the Portuguese head coach was seemingly desperate to part ways with Rashford during the most recent window which handed the Villans a perfect opportunity to pounce.
It is fair to say that Unai Emery and Co. have benefitted from this and the United owner Ratcliffe believes it was for the best that the Englishman departed the Stretford End.
In a tell-all interview, the INEOS chief addressed his side’s recent struggles at Old Trafford to BBC Sport (10 March), including a message to Villa loanee Rashford.
He said: “He’s moved out of Manchester and maybe that’s a good thing for him. I am very pleased he is doing well.
“It’s good to see because he has got tremendous talent, but for whatever reason it wasn’t working in Manchester for the past couple of seasons. But he is a very talented footballer, Rashford.”
Rashford shining during Aston Villa loan spell
The 27-year-old has been successful so far in B6, despite not yet getting on the scoresheet.
There have been plenty of standout moments from the wideman at Villa Park with the Chelsea win being a particular high point so far.
| Stat (Premier League 24/25) | Marcus Rashford |
| Chances created | 22 |
| Successful dribbles | 17 |
| Touches | 615 |
| Successful crosses | 11 |
Looking ahead to a Champions League clash against Club Brugge, the former Red Devils star will be hopeful of grabbing his first in claret and blue.
If he can do that, it will cap off what has been a positive start to life in the West Midlands despite a nightmare end to life at Old Trafford.
With all the problems going on under Ratcliffe’s regime, Villa could look to take advantage and bring Rashford back on a permanent basis at the end of the season.