Manchester United fans have probably got Aston Villa as the team they follow the most after Ruben Amorim’s squad right now and that is down to Marcus Rashford.
Marcus Rashford joined Aston Villa on loan until the end of the season after an anti-climactic transfer window that saw him linked with what felt like every elite club on earth.
Rashford’s move includes a buy-option for Villa, a fee that is probably disappointing for Man Utd but pretty good considering his wages and his situation at Old Trafford.
Now, after his latest performance for Villa vs Liverpool, the Villa manager’s two-word assessment of Rashford hints that he might have played his last game for Man Utd.
Unai Emery’s Marcus Rashford assessment vs Liverpool
Rashford had a great start at Villa and then followed it up with an even more exciting cameo against Ipswich in the league.
He received his first start for Villa against United’s fierce rivals Liverpool and Man Utd fans would have undoubtedly kept a close eye on how he performs.
Fans reacted to Rashford’s display against Liverpool with optimism as he played in an extremely attacking frontline that could have turned over Arne Slot’s men.
Ultimately, it ended in a 2-2 draw with Rashford playing 67 minutes and Unai Emery was all praise for him after the game, declaring in two words that he is “adapting fantastically” at the club, a clear hint that he might not return to United again.
In an interview with BBC Sport, Emery said: “They played good [Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford]. They are adapting fantastically. They played 60-65 minutes so it’s another step forward from them by getting confidence and minutes, knowing the players and the idea. So they played well.”
Man Utd have likely seen the last of Rashford playing for the club
Rashford “adapting fantastically” at Villa is bittersweet news for Man Utd fans because if his initial performances are any indication, then he’s not returning to Old Trafford.
The chances of that happening were remote anyway, so sour was his relationship with Ruben Amorim but there was still hope.
Fans could see a scenario where he impresses at Villa but his wages make it impossible for him to sign there permanently, leading him to return to United in a more confident way.
However, with Emery quickly becoming Rashford’s fan, it is hard to see how a deal doesn’t get done with the player on personal terms, as the buy option means the transfer fee is already negotiated.
Expect Rashford to line up against United next season in a bittersweet moment for fans.
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