Aston Villa in shock talks with Manchester United over Marcus Rashford agreement
Aston Villa have opened talks with Manchester United over Marcus Rashford’s future.
Rashford has had an upturn in form since joining Aston Villa on loan in the winter transfer window, bagging four goals and six assists in 17 games.
However, the England international suffered a crushing blow ahead of the FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace on Saturday (27 April), as he picked up a hamstring injury.
The injury is now likely to rule him out for Aston Villa’s remaining four Premier League games this season, much to Unai Emery’s frustration.
Aston Villa in talks to send Rashford back to Manchester United
The injury has raised serious doubts about Rashford’s future at Aston Villa, although they have an option to make his loan move permanent for £40million.
Rashford is already not sold on the idea of joining the Birmingham-based club permanently, especially due to his desire to play in the UEFA Champions League, according to The i.
Not to mention the fact that he still dreams of joining Barcelona.
As for Villa, they are unlikely to match the forward’s wage demands anyway, even if he lowers his £300,000-a-week salary at Manchester United, as reported by the newspaper via their website on Tuesday, 29 April.
| Matches | Goals | Assists |
| 17 | 4 | 6 |
With that in mind, Aston Villa are now in talks with Manchester United over cutting short the 27-year-old’s loan deal.
Emery’s side are seemingly prepared to send the attacker back to Old Trafford if there is no chance he regains full fitness before the end of the season.
Therefore, Rashford’s time at Villa Park may have already come to an end.
Emery’s Rashford plan backfires
This raises a larger question about whether Emery was right to prefer Rashford over Ollie Watkins in Villa’s big games in recent weeks.
Watkins was left frustrated after he was overlooked for the UEFA Champions League quarter-final against PSG and the Premier League clash against Manchester City.
While Rashford has had the desired impact at Villa Park, favouring a player who is almost certain to leave over a long-term servant appears unwise in hindsight.