Manchester United handed Marcus Rashford return verdict despite what Rúben Amorim told him last month

Manchester United have been handed a verdict on Marcus Rashford’s potential return after he signed for Aston Villa on a six-month loan, despite what Rúben Amorim told him last month.

Marcus Rashford has completed a six-month loan move to Aston Villa, seeking a fresh start away from Manchester United.

Once the focal point of United’s attack, Rashford hit 30 goals under Erik ten Hag in the 2022/23 season. However, his form has since declined, and he struggled for game time under Rúben Amorim.

With Amad and Bruno Fernandes now key figures in United’s setup, Rashford had not featured for over six weeks before making the switch to Villa Park.

A product of United’s academy, he burst onto the scene at 18 with a stunning debut, scoring twice against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League before adding another brace against Arsenal in the Premier League.

Since then, he has played over 420 times for United, scoring 138 goals and providing 63 assists while winning five major trophies.

United handed Rashford return verdict

Rashford’s loan move also includes an option for Aston Villa to purchase the player for £40 million at the end of the season should they choose to do so, but according to United’s former chief scout Mick Brown, the player would be open to a return to United.

“It’s going to be interesting,” he told Football Insider. “If he hits the ground running at Villa, starts scoring goals and playing well, which there’s no reason why he shouldn’t because he’s a quality player, then what?

“It begs the question what his next steps will be after his loan spell. He’s still a Manchester United player, he has to come back at the end of the season.

“So then what changes? I think they’d be open to his return if his performances and attitude improve. He has to prove that he will work hard to come back into the team – if that’s what he wants.

“But if he doesn’t do it at Villa, United will be proven right in that he is the problem in this situation. Then, perhaps they look to move him on permanently because that situation isn’t going to work for either of them.

“It’s going to be one to keep an eye on in the summer.”

What Amorim told Rashford before his loan

Despite Rashford’s apparent openness to return to United once his Villa loan expires, it does feel unlikely that he will play for United again.

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According to talkSPORT, prior to Rashford’s departure, Amorim informed the player that he would not play for United again if he stayed at the club during the January window.

Although not explicitly stated, this was undoubtedly a significant factor in Rashford’s decision to depart Old Trafford for the rest of the season, with the player explaining once his move was confirmed that the reason he chose to sign for Villa was that he would be able to start playing football again.

“I would like to thank Manchester United and Aston Villa for making this loan deal happen,” Rashford said.

“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.”

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