Marcus Rashford leaves Manchester United as Aston Villa complete ambitious loan move

138 goals for United 

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Marcus Rashford has officially departed Manchester United to join Aston Villa on-loan. The 27-year-old burst onto the scene at Old Trafford in 2016, scoring twice in consecutive games against FC Midtjylland and Arsenal. But after a turbulent last two years, Rashford was waved goodbye to his boyhood club after falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim.

The Portuguese manager repeatedly criticised Rashford’s application in training and professionalism off the pitch with a parting of the ways the best outcome for all parties. Villa have secured Rashford’s signature on a loan deal until the end of the season with an obligation to buy option included – believed to be around €50 million. Rashford will aim to revive his career at the Midlands club with Villa prioritising his arrival after the departure of Jhon Duran to Saudi Arabia.

Rashford’s departure from United has split the fanbase given his long-term association with the club as their 13th top goalscorer in history with 138 goals. “I would like to thank Manchester United and Aston Villa for making this loan deal happen,” Rashford said in a statement posted on Instagram. “I was lucky to have a few clubs approach me but Aston Villa was an easy decision – I really admire the way that Aston Villa have been playing this season, and the manager’s ambitions. I just want to play football and am excited to get started. I wish everyone at Manchester United all the best for the rest of the season.”