Jamie Redknapp has voiced his concerns regarding the potential loan of Marcus Rashford to Aston Villa, emphasising the inherent risks for both the player and the club. The forward has found himself increasingly sidelined at Manchester United, particularly following the appointment of Ruben Amorim as head coach, which appears to have diminished his role within the squad. Despite ongoing speculation linking him with various moves throughout January, Rashford remains at Old Trafford as the transfer window nears its conclusion.
Under the stewardship of Unai Emery, Aston Villa are reportedly making concerted efforts to secure Rashford on loan, with an option to purchase included in the arrangement. Emery has taken the proactive step of reaching out to Rashford directly to discuss the potential transfer.
In a segment on Sky Sports, Redknapp highlighted that the success of any prospective move hinges significantly on Rashford's mentality. “If this move does happen for him, it would be an unbelievable one. Perhaps more than what he deserves right now,” he remarked, reflecting on the player's recent form.
Redknapp further analysed Rashford's career trajectory, noting the stark contrast between the forward's performances over the past two seasons and his current predicament. He recalled, “When you look at the last two years, and two years is a long time in football, it wasn't a case of him being injured. Some of the clips of him strolling around went viral, I remember there was one against Luton when the ball was there and he was just jogging.” He stressed the importance of Rashford stepping into a leadership role, asserting, “You can't do that when you're a star player at Man United, you've got to be the man that's going to lead from the front.”
The pundit underscored that a move to Villa could provide Rashford with a vital opportunity to revitalise his career, yet he made it clear that the responsibility lies with the player to seize this chance. “No one else can do it, it's not up to Unai Emery, it's not up to Aston Villa, it's up to Marcus Rashford to go and put himself back out there as a player again,” he stated.
Darren Bent, another football pundit, echoed Redknapp's sentiments, suggesting that integrating Rashford into Villa's squad could present challenges. “If Emery says he wants to join Aston Villa that has to give you some confidence,” Bent noted. However, he raised concerns regarding Rashford's preferred position, stating, “His body language has told him he doesn't want to play centre forward but if Watkins is out he is going to have to do that. He has to find that form within. We can't make excuses anymore.”
Bent also cautioned that if Rashford struggles to adapt to Emery’s tactical approach, the move could have negative repercussions for his career. “Marcus Rashford is a massive risk. Take away his talent, if he comes in and doesn't want to perform or doesn't buy into the environment, it can be detrimental too,” he warned, emphasising the necessity for Rashford to prove his worth. “He is too good a talent to waste. Shutting everyone up should be on his mind. If that's not enough to go on, what is?”
As reported by MailOnline, Rashford has reportedly bid farewell to his teammates at Manchester United, bringing him closer to finalising his loan transfer to Villa Park. The 27-year-old met with staff and players at Carrington following the approval of the transfer, with personal terms already agreed upon and the clubs now working on the final details of the deal. This potential move could mark a pivotal moment in Rashford's career, offering him a chance to rediscover his form in a new environment.