Marcus Rashford has joined Aston Villa on loan from Manchester United for the remainder of the season. The 27-year-old forward had also been linked with moves to AC Milan and Barcelona this month after falling out of favour at his boyhood club.
Aston Villa announced the loan signing on February 2, 2025, tweeting, "Aston Villa is delighted to announce the loan signing of Marcus Rashford from Manchester United." The England international, who has been capped 60 times by the Three Lions, joins Villa on this deal until the end of the season.
Villa is set to cover at least 75 percent of Rashford’s hefty £300,000-plus weekly salary. This figure could reach up to 90 percent, contingent on performance-related bonuses. Notably, the loan agreement also provides Aston Villa with the option to make Rashford’s move permanent for about £40 million.
Rashford's future has captured attention throughout the transfer window, particularly as he expressed he was “ready for a new challenge” after being omitted from the squad for the derby match against Manchester City on December 15. His last appearance for United appears to have been against Viktoria Plzen days prior, where he did not manage to impress new manager Ruben Amorim.
The facts are clear: Rashford, who joined United at the age of seven, made 426 appearances and scored 138 goals since his first team debut. During his tenure, he has played pivotal roles, helping the club secure two FA Cups, two League Cups, and one UEFA Europa League title.
Rashford’s decision to leave United has been amicable yet indicative of turmoil; new manager Amorim has publicly criticized the forward's lifestyle and commitment, stating, “He has to change” if he wants to remain part of United’s future plans.
Upon signing, Rashford took to Instagram to express his gratitude, saying, “I would like to thank Manchester United and Aston Villa for making this loan deal happen. I was lucky to have a few clubs approach me, but Aston Villa was an easy decision— I admire their style of play and ambitions.”
Underlining Villa's aspirations, Rashford added, “It’s their constant ambition which is attractive and why you want to join such a club.” He noted the significance of the Champions League campaign and aims to help the club advance as far as possible.
Rashford’s signing could be instrumental for Villa as they push for success this season. The club is still in the running for the Champions League and hopes to solidify its position within the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Villa may not be done shopping this transfer window. The club is reportedly considering bringing Marco Assensio on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, aiming to bolster their attacking options even more following the loss of Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr. Duran was Villa's top scorer with 12 goals this season, and with Ollie Watkins facing injury troubles, reinforcements are becoming increasingly necessary.
Rashford’s imminent debut at Villa Park against Tottenham could mark the start of a new chapter not just for him, but for Aston Villa as well. Playing for another club and its different dynamics will surely be both unique and exhilarating for the forward.
It's apparent he’s ready for this next step, and with the ambitions riding high at Villa, this move might just help the player rediscover the form and joy of the game, alongside aiming for greater achievements within Europe’s elite competitions.
The transfer certainly opens up speculation about Rashford’s future, as he hopes to make his mark away from Old Trafford and prove himself to those who questioned his commitment to the game.