Unai Emery has stated that no decision has yet been made regarding the potential permanent transfer of Marcus Rashford to Aston Villa, following the winger’s impressive performance in the FA Cup. Rashford netted two goals against Preston North End, leading the Villans to the semi-finals where they will face Crystal Palace.
Rashford’s recent performances for Villa have been a stark contrast to his earlier struggles at Manchester United, where he started only three matches under manager Ruben Amorim before joining Villa on loan in January.
After the FA Cup victory, Emery was asked about the future of Rashford and whether the club would make his loan a permanent deal. He responded, “Not yet. The most important thing is to focus on the challenges ahead, recover from this match, and prepare for our game against Brighton tomorrow. The decision regarding each player is about maximizing their potential and our team’s performance. We don’t want to waste time dwelling on it.”
Aston Villa has the option to sign Rashford permanently from Manchester United for £40 million during the summer transfer window. However, the club is reportedly facing financial challenges, which will require careful consideration of any potential transfer.
Rashford celebrated his first goals for Villa in the match against Preston, although he had assisted four goals in his previous six appearances for the team. Despite having only completed one full match, Rashford has made a noticeable impact in the five games he has started under Emery.
His last game for Manchester United was on December 12 against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League, followed by his debut for Villa on February 9 against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup. Given the significant time he spent away from the pitch, it is understandable that he has needed time to regain his best form.
If Villa decides to make Rashford’s transfer permanent, they will hope to see him return to the level he showcased in the 2022-23 season, where he scored 30 goals and provided nine assists across all competitions. During that season, Rashford also demonstrated his ability to score against top teams, netting goals against Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Barcelona.
At his peak, Rashford poses a considerable threat to any defense, and if his form continues to improve, Aston Villa may want to exercise their option to buy before it expires.