Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has joined Aston Villa on loan for the remainder of the season.
The 27-year-old is Villa’s third signing of the January transfer window, following the arrivals of Spanish full-back Andres Garcia from Levante and Netherlands international Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund.
Rashford has made 15 Premier League appearances for Man Utd this season, scoring in head coach Ruben Amorim’s first match - a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town on 24 November - before adding two more in a 4-0 win over Everton a week later.
He has not played since being left out of the squad for the Manchester derby on 15 December.
A graduate of United’s academy, Rashford joined the club at the age of seven and made his senior debut in 2016, scoring twice against FC Midtjylland in the UEFA Europa League before repeating the feat against Arsenal on his Premier League debut.
What did he have to say?
"I would like to thank Manchester United and Aston Villa for making this loan deal happen," Rashford said on his Instagram channel.
"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 managers’ 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."
Rashford's career so far
His most productive season came in 2022/23, when he scored 30 goals in all competitions - the first United player to reach that mark since Robin van Persie in 2013. He was named both the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year and the Players’ Player of the Year that season.
Off the pitch, Rashford has been involved in charitable work, notably campaigning for free school meals for underprivileged children in the UK. He was awarded an MBE in 2021 in recognition of his efforts.
During his time at Old Trafford, Rashford has made 426 appearances across all competitions, scoring 138 goals and winning the Europa League, two FA Cups, and two EFL Cups.
At international level, Rashford has earned 60 caps and scored 17 goals for England, featuring in two UEFA European Championships and two FIFA World Cups.
Villa fans could get a first look at Rashford on Sunday 9 February when Villa host Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup fourth round, before returning to Premier League action the following weekend at home to Ipswich.
