Marcus Rashford has enjoyed a new lease on life since escaping the doom and gloom of Manchester United by joining Aston Villa on loan in the January transfer window. The academy graduate’s long relationship with many supporters at Old Trafford was on its last legs by the time he landed at Villa Park on February 2.
Rashford’s off-field disciplinary issues and on-field struggles were that of a player crying out for a new environment nine years after making his first-team debut.
Villa boss Unai Emery pushed the pursuit, firmly believing that he could redirect the 27-year-old’s faltering career back on the right path.
The Spaniard’s influence has already rubbed off on his latest recruit, judging by the enthusiastic early displays that have endeared him to the Villa fans.
Whether the Villans trigger the £40million option to buy Rashford or not, he’s almost certain to permanently leave United in the summer.
But despite exiting on far from buoyant terms, having endured a prolonged exile by the order of Ruben Amorim, Rashford has made it clear that there is no ill feeling towards his boyhood club.
In an interview with Henry Winter ahead of his departure, the England international said: “For me, personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps.
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“When I leave, it’s going to be ‘no hard feelings’. You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That’s me as a person.
“If I know that a situation is already bad, I’m not going to make it worse. I’ve seen how other players have left in the past, and I don’t want to be that person.
“When I leave, I’ll make a statement, and it will be from me. Yes [I’ll always be a Red]! 100 per cent. 100 per cent.”
Rashford last played for United against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on December 12, where he was substituted for Rasmus Hojlund with the visitors 1-0 down.
Amorim made the bombshell decision to exclude Rashford from his matchday squad for the 2-1 derby victory against Manchester City days later, citing application and attitude as the reason.
The United No. 10 went on to miss the following 11 matches, only featuring in the squad for the 2-0 home defeat against Newcastle United.
During his absence, Amorim reaffirmed his stance by claiming he would rather select his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach, Jorge Vital, before a player not giving their all.
However, Rashford has no plans to join the clan of former United players in publicly lamenting his poor fortunes at Old Trafford.