Man United ‘could be in big trouble’ over Marcus Rashford at Aston Villa
Man United have been sent an ominous warning over Marcus Rashford’s move to Aston Villa by Paul Merson.
Rashford was linked with a number of clubs in the January transfer window, but eventually joined Unai Emery’s side on loan with an option to buy in the summer.
That came after several weeks in exile at Old Trafford, in which manager Ruben Amorim delivered some brutal putdowns of the Man United forward.
Rashford is already showing signs of settling at Aston Villa, and Merson believes that will be a concern for his parent club.
Paul Merson warns Man United over Marcus Rashford
While things did not work out for Rashford towards the end of his time at Old Trafford, the 27-year-old previously enjoyed some prolific campaigns in the Premier League.
Merson believes there is a possibility that a change of scenery at Aston Villa could bring the best out of the attacker again, which he feels would be a major blow for Man United.
Speaking on Sky Sports about the England international’s move to Villa Park, the former Arsenal and Aston Villa attacker said: “I don’t know that lad, I’ve never met him before, but something’s up. I always say ‘wherever you go you’ve gotta take your head with you’. Something’s playing on his mind, I don’t know what that may be.
“Your form can’t dip that much. The kid can play. To drop that low something’s going on.
“If he gets his head right, and he clears it, that doesn’t matter if you go to the Bahamas or to Aston Villa you still gotta take it with you, your head’s gotta come with you and whatever the problem is will come with you.
“If he can sort that out Man United could be in big trouble, cus your getting this lad who could easily get you 20 goals a season, easy when his head’s right, and they could buy him for £40million.
“And in this day and age it is a cup of tea still. Man City have just gone and paid £50m for a lad who plays at Porto in the Portuguese league, not even in the same class as this league and we don’t know [with him] it’s gonna be a heads or tails.
“If this lad [Rashford] gets his head right, he’s played in the Premier League, he’s always been a starter England, a seasoned international bar recently, if he gets his head right Man United will be pulling their hair out.”
Unai Emery offers golden opportunity to rebound at Villa Park
Football Insider Verdict
There will be some worries for those at Old Trafford about how things play out for Rashford during his time with Aston Villa.
If he thrives with Unai Emery’s side and they do eventually turn his move into a permanent one, Man United may find that they have strengthened a potential rival for success.
Of course, the Red Devils did not add another attacker to their own squad in the wake of Rashford’s departure.
That could be seen as a risk given the struggles the likes of Rasmus Hojlund are enduring at centre-forward for Amorim’s side right now.
So if Rashford does thrive with his new club, Man United will feel they have given away a player who could have made some important contributions for them between now and the end of the season.
Indeed, if that situation develops some may also ask why Amorim and co. were not able to get that out of him, so there are plenty of questions to be answered if Rashford does succeed with Villa.