Marcus Rashford reportedly declined Manchester United’s request for a pay cut prior to his loan move to Aston Villa, as reported by The Athletic.
The 27-year-old forward is set to play under Unai Emery until the season’s end, with Villa covering 75% of his substantial weekly wage, which could potentially increase to 90% based on performance. Rashford’s situation at Manchester United had become strained, particularly after new manager Ruben Amorim placed him in indefinite exile due to concerns about his attitude. Following this, Rashford expressed his desire to leave Old Trafford.
Despite United suggesting he reduce his salary to facilitate a transfer, Rashford insisted on having his contract honored, which limited his options and deterred interest from clubs like Barcelona. However, Aston Villa made a late loan offer with an option to buy.
Since mid-December, Rashford has not played a single minute of professional football and has recorded seven goals and three assists this season across all competitions. He joins Villa amid a flurry of signings that include Marco Asensio, Donyell Malen, Axel Disasi, and Andres Garcia.
From Manchester United’s perspective, the club is relieved to reduce their wage bill for the remainder of the season. However, fans have expressed concern over the lack of replacements after both Rashford and Antony were allowed to leave. Reports suggest that United was not satisfied with the available options in the market.
Marcus Rashford reportedly turned down Manchester United’s insistence on a contract pay cut ahead of his loan move to Aston Villa in the final days of the winter transfer window, as per The Athletic.
The 27-year-old is set to feature under Unai Emery until the end of the season, and Villa are expected to pay 75% of his substantial weekly wage, which could rise to 90% depending on performances. The midlands-based club are evidently confident in Rashford’s chances of turning his season around, having been willing to take up this hefty financial responsibility.
New boss Ruben Amorim had effectively placed Rashford in indefinite exile in December, after being left unimpressed with his conduct behind the scenes. Soon after, the England international revealed his desire to depart from Old Trafford, and according to the report from The Athletic, the Red Devils had suggested he “sacrifice” some of his lofty wage demands to accommodate an eventual exit.
However, Rashford ultimately put his foot down, claiming he “wanted his contract honored”. Such a salary deterred many potential suitors for the player, including Barcelona, but Aston Villa saw a late loan offer with an option to buy towards the end of the window.
Rashford has yet to play a single minute of professional football since mid-December, and has currently tallied seven goals and three assists for himself this term across all competitions. He joins Villa alongside Marco Asensio, Donyell Malen, Axel Disasi and Andres Garcia as new signings for Emery after what has been a very active transfer window for the Spaniard.
Meanwhile, the Manchester United top brass will be pleased to have got rid of a hefty salary off their books for the remainder of this season. Fans were nonetheless concerned with the fact that the club allowed both Rashford and Antony out of the door without signing a replacement, but per GOAL, it is believed the Red Devils were not satisfied by the options available in the market.