Aston Villa's potential acquisition of Marcus Rashford could significantly alter the dynamics for Manchester United supporters, particularly in light of the forward's recent struggles at Old Trafford. Prominent football analyst Sue Smith has suggested that Ollie Watkins is likely to remain at Villa, even as the club explores the possibility of bringing Rashford on board.
Reports indicate that Rashford's relationship with Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has soured, leading to a notable reduction in his playing time since early December. Despite a promising start under Amorim's management, the forward has faced criticism regarding his training efforts, resulting in his continued absence from the squad until he demonstrates substantial improvement. However, emerging speculation points towards a loan move to Aston Villa, a development that could reshape the narrative surrounding both Rashford and the club.
During a recent segment on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, Smith highlighted the potential backlash from United fans should Rashford find success at Villa. "So they now have options. Aston Villa needed to strengthen. They've got a lot of injuries, they're obviously trying to compete in the Champions League and in the Premier League so they needed to bring players in and I think Unai Emery will back himself to get the best out of Marcus Rashford," she remarked. Smith expressed her concerns about the implications of Rashford thriving at a rival club, stating, "But my worry is selling him to a rival club. You just think if he goes to Aston Villa and performs at a very very high level, what will the Manchester United fans think?"
Smith elaborated on the various roles Rashford could fulfil at Villa, suggesting he might partner with Watkins, who she anticipates will stay at the club, or come off the bench to make an impact, similar to Jhon Duran's contributions prior to his transfer to Al Nassr. "I still think they'll try and keep him [Watkins]. Unai Emery had him and Duran for that period of time where having those two options was great having that competition for places where if it wasn't quite working for Watkins, Duran would come on and score the winner," she added.
Moreover, Smith underscored Rashford's versatility, noting his capacity to operate on either wing or as a central striker, thereby providing depth alongside Watkins and the recently signed Donyell Malen. With such options at his disposal, Emery likely feels confident in his ability to maximise Rashford's talents effectively.
According to Football365, Rashford's imminent move to Villa could also facilitate Manchester United's pursuit of Bayern Munich's emerging talent, Mathys Tel. Reports suggest that Rashford does not hold Amorim responsible for his current predicament, instead hinting at possible influences from club executives.
Aston Villa appears set to secure two high-profile forwards in quick succession, with a deal for a Paris Saint-Germain star reportedly in the works alongside the anticipated arrival of Rashford. Unai Emery seems to have endorsed the addition of Rashford, a decision that could significantly bolster Villa's attacking prowess as they aim to compete at the highest levels.