Bruno Fernandes reacts to Marcus Rashford’s message after ‘Man United return’ claim
Marcus Rashford remained upbeat following Aston Villa’s dominant win over Newcastle, despite ongoing speculation surrounding his future at the club.
Aston Villa strengthened their Champions League hopes after a commanding 4-1 victory over Newcastle on 19 April.
Ollie Watkins had a brilliant performance and opened the scoring within a minute and set the tone of the Villa performance over their Champions League rivals.
Although Fabian Schar briefly levelled the score for Newcastle, Villa quickly regained control. Goals from Ian Maatsen and Amadou Onana, along with a Dan Burn own goal, ensured Unai Emery’s side came away with all three points in style.
Rashford was introduced late in the game, replacing Watkins in the 83rd minute. Since arriving on loan, the forward’s minutes have been carefully managed, but reports have suggested Rashford may return to Manchester United this summer if Villa fail to secure European football.
Despite the uncertainty, Rashford shared a positive message with supporters after the match, showing his appreciation for the performance and result as Villa’s push for the Champions League remains firmly on track.
| Premier League table | Points | GD |
| 3. Newcastle | 59 | 18 |
| 4. Man City | 58 | 22 |
| 5. Chelsea | 57 | 18 |
| 6. Nottingham Forest | 57 | 13 |
| 7. Aston Villa | 57 | 6 |
Aston Villa fans call for Marcus Rashford to stay amid transfer uncertainty
The Manchester United loanee shared his delight on Instagram after the emphatic win over Newcastle, writing: “What a performance from the boys. 5 in a row. We will keep pushing. See you on Tuesday.”
His post was met with praise from teammates, including emoji-filled comments from Emi Martinez and Youri Tielemans, while United captain Bruno Fernandes also showed his support with a like.
Aston Villa fans have urged the club to make Rashford’s move permanent following his positive impact since arriving on loan. The England international has played a key role in the club’s FA Cup cup run and their charge for Champions League qualification.
However, Football Insider revealed that Manchester United are expected to increase their asking price for Rashford this summer, reflecting his improved form and their need to raise funds.
Aston Villa may face decision between Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio
Rashford isn’t the only attacking star impressing under Emery. Marco Asensio, who also arrived in the January window, has also made a strong impact.
Between them, the pair have contributed to 18 goals across all competitions, becoming vital to Villa’s success in recent months.
However, without securing Champions League football, Villa could find it difficult to finance permanent deals for both players—particularly with both wages and Rashford potentially needing to accept a pay cut to make the move viable.
For now, the focus remains on finishing the season strongly, with the club on course for a return to Europe’s top competition for next season.