Man United fans think Ollie Watkins is headed for Old Trafford amid Aston Villa news
Marcus Rashford has revitalised his career at Aston Villa.
The England star has notched three goals and four assists in 14 matches for the Villans since leaving Old Trafford on loan.
The Villa Park outfit have a clause with the contract that would allow them to purchase the 27-year-old but they have been encouraged to try to complete a swap deal with Manchester United.
Emery makes Rashford decision for PSG clash
Unai Emery left Ollie Watkins on the bench for the Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain (15 April) as the Villans tried to chase down a 3-1 deficit.
The Spaniard chose to persist with Rashford in the number nine role instead, despite his poor showing in the reverse fixture (9 April).
Watkins has struggled for game time recently and could seek a Villa Park exit in the summer transfer window if he continues to be left out.
Man United fans call for Watkins swap
Rashford is clearly ahead of his England teammate in Emery’s pecking order up front right now and that looks set to continue after the PSG decision.
Manchester United fans have suggested a swap deal rather than the £40million fee that the Villans will have to pay to make the deal permanent.
Can we swap Watkins for Rashford please
— whisperingheart🖤🖤 (@Investorchim_a) April 15, 2025
No Watkins again. Swap deal @AVFCOfficial ?
— Matty M (@wanna_be_dj) April 15, 2025
Watkins-rashford swap
— Ayoo (@_Ayoo_xx) April 15, 2025
I’m up https://t.co/lFHerpC7NM
It seems Unai Emery prefers Rashford over Watkins @ManUtd swap deal???
— Kwame (@99barima) April 15, 2025
Since Emry loves rashford so much, does he want to swap him for Watkins, seeing as he’s not starting for villa.#Mufc
— Tony Coffey (@TonyCoffey15) April 15, 2025
Ollie Watkins is really the guy I would want at United. Proper 15-20 goal forward, mature, physical and has the right attitude and temperament as well.
— Fullhouse 🍁 (@FPL_Fullhouse) April 15, 2025
Shouldn’t Watkins be in the conversation for Old Trafford?
— Chris Curley (@chriscurleyman) April 15, 2025
Watkins should hand in transfer request tonight. You drag a club to champions League but don’t really have a sniff to play in the most crucial games #ASTPSG
— Phil_United (@united_philip) April 15, 2025
Ruben – United need to buy Watkins and soon!!!!! #MUFC #GGMU #GlazersOut #INEOSOut https://t.co/mR8PvQgJvj
— Rashmiiiii 🔴⚪⚫ (@rashmiiiiiC) April 15, 2025
Watkins left out for Rashford again, can’t be the only one who would entertain a straight swap in the summer surely? https://t.co/O8VKc18hOz
— Liam Joe (@LJoe140404) April 15, 2025
However, that would not make much sense for Villa as they could probably make a profit from selling Watkins and purchasing the United star for the originally agreed price, considering that Arsenal offered £60m in the winter transfer market.
The Three Lions ace has proved that he can still perform as he opened the scoring a won a penalty against Southampton (12 April) and may very well work his way back into the manager’s plans in the future.
It was a surprise to see him on the bench, given the way Rashford played in the first leg and he will be vital to the Villans’ hopes of securing another Champions League berth next season.
If he returns to form but the B6 outfit still wants to get rid, a swap deal does not make sense and they should sell him for a big-money fee.