Marcus Rashford has been thriving at Aston Villa since departing Manchester United on loan in the January transfer window – yet his future remains up in the air.
Sky Sports News reported Villa have not yet decided whether to take up their £40m option to turn Rashford’s temporary move into a permanent deal, despite the forward scoring three goals and adding five assists across his 15 outings in claret and blue.
Unai Emery admitted “it depends on the circumstances for now and the next weeks” while sources indicate the forward has not given up hope of joining Barcelona.
Leaving Old Trafford has uncovered the Rashford that football fans had grown accustomed to seeing in years gone by and his next opportunity to impress will arrive in a crucial clash against fellow Champions League chasers Newcastle, live on Saturday Night Football.
Rashford is facilitating his team-mates, driving with confidence at defenders and – after finally getting off the mark with a double against Preston in the FA Cup quarter-final to fire Villa to Wembley – the goals are now beginning to flood in for the 28-year-old.
Saturday 19th April 5:00pm
Kick off 5:30pm
Most importantly, he is doing it with a smile on his face. So what more can Rashford do to secure a future in Birmingham?
Here, Sky Sports takes a look at his rejuvenation and outlines why Rashford’s permanent move to Villa Park should be a matter of when, not if.
How much has Marcus Rashford improved at Villa?
Sky Sports’ Will Bitibiri:
There’s no question that Marcus Rashford needed a change. At United, Rashford’s work rate and output were questioned as he slumped into a spell of poor form, but at Villa Park he has the look of a player rejuvenated. But what do the numbers say about Rashford’s turnaround?
In fewer than half the minutes he achieved for United this campaign, it’s in his creative numbers where Rashford has shown the most growth.
He is creating more than double the chances now, with 2.84 per game compared to 1.32 during his time at United this season.
Villa’s No 9 is also taking more shots now, averaging 3.26 in total compared to a previous 2.22. Alongside attempting and completing more dribbles at Villa, Rashford is having significantly more touches in the box.
Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Aston Villa’s Marcus Rashford (right) battle for the ball
Debates over his industry have also been muted by a marginal improvement in the number of duels Rashford is involved in per game.
Overthrowing Ollie Watkins
Sky Sports’ Patrick Rowe:
Ollie Watkins is on the brink of breaking Gabriel Agbonlahor’s Premier League goalscoring record for Villa, but there is one thing standing in his way: the form and impact of Rashford.
Scoring 73 goals, as well as adding 32 assists, in 178 top-flight appearances – as Watkins has done – is a tough act for any forward to follow.
Speaking on the Transfer Talk Podcast, football journalist and Aston Villa fan Sam Tighe suggests that Villa are paving the way to replace Ollie Watkins with Marcus Rashford permanently this summer.
However, Rashford is doing exactly that, and after being utilised as the ‘No 9’ for both legs of the Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain, it now appears he is Emery’s first choice in the role.
Numbers might not reflect his full impact on the pitch, but tune in to watch Rashford in action and you will see why.
His blistering pace to ease past defenders remains and his talents on the ball, as the swivel of his hips and composure to tee up Ezri Konsa for Villa’s third in the second leg showed, are now piecing the puzzle together once again.
Whether or not the permanent move comes to fruition remains to be seen, but Rashford is a perfect fit for this Villa side. His ability to threaten centrally, while also drifting out wide to create space for surging runs from Morgan Rogers and Marco Asensio into the box, has already paid dividends for this team.
If Villa can buy, they should.
‘The best Rashford we’ve seen in years’
Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones:
Emery knows a player – it’s one of his many skills as a manager. He knows Marcus Rashford is a world-class operator on his day, hence why the on-loan Man Utd man is ousting Watkins from the Villa frontline. Emery has lit a fire under the much-talked about centre-forward.
The performance in the second leg against PSG was the best we’ve seen from Rashford for two years.
Sky Sports News’ Peter Smith analyses the impressive performance of Marcus Rashford despite Aston Villa’s exit in the Champions League to PSG.
What he produced on this stage against arguably the best team in European football was world-class in terms of output. Rashford created the most chances (4) and completed the most dribbles (4) by any player on the pitch, combining both of those aspects to perfection in setting up Konsa to send Villa Park into a frenzy of belief that the comeback of all comebacks was on.
It wasn’t meant to be eventually, as Villa’s fizzy play went flat when Rashford departed with 15 minutes to go.
“I have to congratulate Marcus Rashford – I thought he was fantastic,” said Wayne Rooney on Amazon Prime.
“His talent, his skill, his ability to provoke the opponent. I hope he goes back to Manchester United and plays like he did today. That’s what we all want to see as Manchester United fans. He wants to play for Manchester United, 100 per cent. He’s a Manchester boy, but he needed to play.”
“Rashford, in an ideal world, would want to play and leave a legacy in Manchester. I don’t know if that’s possible, but that’s what I’d like to see.”
Watch Aston Villa vs Newcastle, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, from 5pm on Saturday.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
NFL investigating Giants, coach Brian Daboll, for handling of Jaxson Dart’s concussion evaluation vs. Eagles
The NFL, in conjunction with the NFL Players Association, has opened a review into the application of the concussion protocol involving quarterback Jaxson Dart during the New York Giants' 34-17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night, CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reports. The review concerns the actions of Giants coach Brian Daboll, who looked into the medical tent and was later shown yelling at the team doctor following an injury to Dart in the third quarter.After taking a hit while running the ball, Dart was slow to get up before walking off the field and to the Giants' sideline, where he entered the blue medical tent in order to be evaluated for a concussion. Visibly anxious to the point of losing his composure, Daboll was seen walking over to the medical tent in order to check on Dart, and he was also […]
Where to watch Georgia Tech vs. Virginia Tech: TV channel, kickoff time, odds, prediction for Week 7 ACC clash
An ACC showdown takes place on Saturday when Virginia Tech travels to Bobby Dodd Stadium to take on No. 13 Georgia Tech. The game represents an opportunity for the Hokies to right the ship in what has been a rough 2-4 start to the season.Georgia Tech enters the game undefeated at 5-0, but the team has had to survive some scares, with three wins by a touchdown or less. That includes a one-point overtime victory in their most recent game, a 30-29 win over Wake Forest on Sept. 27. That win came down to intercepting a Demon Deacons 2-point conversion attempt in a game-saving overtime play.Virginia Tech lost to that same Wake Forest team this past Saturday, dropping the game at home 30-23. That snapped a two-game winning run after firing coach Brent Pry amid an 0-3 start to the […]
Tennis player who claimed positive methamphetamine test was caused by kiss suspended four years
Goncalo Oliveira, a professional tennis player representing Venezuela, was suspended for four years Friday by the International Tennis Integrity Agency after testing positive for methamphetamine, an agency statement confirmed. The 30-year-old Portuguese-born athlete argued that the positive result came from a kiss, but an independent tribunal rejected his explanation.Oliveira was provisionally suspended in January after an in-competition test at an ATP Challenger event in Manzanillo, Mexico, in November 2024 revealed the banned stimulant in both his A and B samples. Methamphetamine is classified as a non-specified substance under the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List, which carries a mandatory suspension for positive findings. Oliveira's four-year ban, which takes credit for time already served under provisional suspension, will run through Jan. 16, 2029. He forfeited prize money, results and ranking points from the event where he tested positive, as well as from subsequent tournaments […]
College basketball rankings: Purdue to edge Houston for No. 1 in preseason AP Top 25 poll predictions
Predicting how AP Top 25 poll voters will react to results during the season can become predictable after studying voter's habits and tendencies. But predicting how voters will cast their ballots in the first preseason poll of 2025-26? That's anyone's guess. And that anyone will be yours truly. As I do ahead of each AP Top 25 poll release -- from preseason to the final poll of the postseason -- I will release my No. 1-25 rankings based on how I think voters will rank the teams. Not how I would rank the teams and not how Gary Parrish would rank the teams -- but how I think the teams will be ranked when the ballots are tabulated and the results are published. Purdue shows quiet confidence it can break through in NCAA Tournament, end Big Ten's 25-year title drought […]
The Bench: Big Grand Final preview!
Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin chat all things rugby league on The Bench podcast, with the pair joined by big names from Super League and beyond.Catch up on the latest news from around the clubs, get all the analysis on the big talking points and listen out for Jenna and Jon's extended interviews. Keep track of all the latest rugby league news with Sky Sports and watch live Super League games and highlights.The Bench podcast - latest episodes Spreaker This content is provided by Spreaker, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Spreaker cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we […]
Rahm surges back but Ryder Cup hero Lowry misses cut in Madrid
Jon Rahm raced back into contention for the weekend, but Ryder Cup-winning team-mate Shane Lowry missed the cut, on the second day of Open de Espana presented by Madrid.The European pair had both disappointed on their returns to action on Thursday a fortnight after helping Luke Donald's side claim a memorable away win in New York, each shooting over-par opening rounds around the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid. And while both were back under par on Friday, Lowry's three-under 68 left him one shot outside the projected level-par cut line.Lowry had got himself back to par for the tournament after going four under through 14 but a dropped shot for the second consecutive day at the par-four 16th proved costly.After a par at 17, the Irishman gave himself a chance of making the weekend by leaving a 15-footer on […]
Related
NFL investigating Giants, coach Brian Daboll, for handling of Jaxson Dart’s concussion evaluation vs. Eagles
The NFL, in conjunction with the NFL Players Association, has opened a review into the application of the concussion protocol involving quarterback Jaxson Dart during the New York Giants' 34-17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night, CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reports. The review concerns the actions of Giants coach Brian Daboll, who looked into the medical tent and was later shown yelling at the team doctor following an injury to Dart in the third quarter.After taking a hit while running the ball, Dart was slow to get up before walking off the field and to the Giants' sideline, where he entered the blue medical tent in order to be evaluated for a concussion. Visibly anxious to the point of losing his composure, Daboll was seen walking over to the medical tent in order to check on Dart, and he was also […]
Where to watch Georgia Tech vs. Virginia Tech: TV channel, kickoff time, odds, prediction for Week 7 ACC clash
An ACC showdown takes place on Saturday when Virginia Tech travels to Bobby Dodd Stadium to take on No. 13 Georgia Tech. The game represents an opportunity for the Hokies to right the ship in what has been a rough 2-4 start to the season.Georgia Tech enters the game undefeated at 5-0, but the team has had to survive some scares, with three wins by a touchdown or less. That includes a one-point overtime victory in their most recent game, a 30-29 win over Wake Forest on Sept. 27. That win came down to intercepting a Demon Deacons 2-point conversion attempt in a game-saving overtime play.Virginia Tech lost to that same Wake Forest team this past Saturday, dropping the game at home 30-23. That snapped a two-game winning run after firing coach Brent Pry amid an 0-3 start to the […]
Tennis player who claimed positive methamphetamine test was caused by kiss suspended four years
Goncalo Oliveira, a professional tennis player representing Venezuela, was suspended for four years Friday by the International Tennis Integrity Agency after testing positive for methamphetamine, an agency statement confirmed. The 30-year-old Portuguese-born athlete argued that the positive result came from a kiss, but an independent tribunal rejected his explanation.Oliveira was provisionally suspended in January after an in-competition test at an ATP Challenger event in Manzanillo, Mexico, in November 2024 revealed the banned stimulant in both his A and B samples. Methamphetamine is classified as a non-specified substance under the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List, which carries a mandatory suspension for positive findings. Oliveira's four-year ban, which takes credit for time already served under provisional suspension, will run through Jan. 16, 2029. He forfeited prize money, results and ranking points from the event where he tested positive, as well as from subsequent tournaments […]
College basketball rankings: Purdue to edge Houston for No. 1 in preseason AP Top 25 poll predictions
Predicting how AP Top 25 poll voters will react to results during the season can become predictable after studying voter's habits and tendencies. But predicting how voters will cast their ballots in the first preseason poll of 2025-26? That's anyone's guess. And that anyone will be yours truly. As I do ahead of each AP Top 25 poll release -- from preseason to the final poll of the postseason -- I will release my No. 1-25 rankings based on how I think voters will rank the teams. Not how I would rank the teams and not how Gary Parrish would rank the teams -- but how I think the teams will be ranked when the ballots are tabulated and the results are published. Purdue shows quiet confidence it can break through in NCAA Tournament, end Big Ten's 25-year title drought […]
The Bench: Big Grand Final preview!
Jenna Brooks and Jon Wilkin chat all things rugby league on The Bench podcast, with the pair joined by big names from Super League and beyond.Catch up on the latest news from around the clubs, get all the analysis on the big talking points and listen out for Jenna and Jon's extended interviews. Keep track of all the latest rugby league news with Sky Sports and watch live Super League games and highlights.The Bench podcast - latest episodes Spreaker This content is provided by Spreaker, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Spreaker cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we […]
Rahm surges back but Ryder Cup hero Lowry misses cut in Madrid
Jon Rahm raced back into contention for the weekend, but Ryder Cup-winning team-mate Shane Lowry missed the cut, on the second day of Open de Espana presented by Madrid.The European pair had both disappointed on their returns to action on Thursday a fortnight after helping Luke Donald's side claim a memorable away win in New York, each shooting over-par opening rounds around the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid. And while both were back under par on Friday, Lowry's three-under 68 left him one shot outside the projected level-par cut line.Lowry had got himself back to par for the tournament after going four under through 14 but a dropped shot for the second consecutive day at the par-four 16th proved costly.After a par at 17, the Irishman gave himself a chance of making the weekend by leaving a 15-footer on […]
Be the first to leave a comment