Marcus Rashford is set to don the number nine shirt for Aston Villa, a jersey that became available following Jhon Duran's loan from Manchester United. The 27-year-old forward has expressed his eagerness to "play football" again after a challenging period at Old Trafford under manager Ruben Amorim, where he encountered difficulties both in training and in securing a place in the starting lineup.
Rashford's move to Villa is significantly influenced by the club's ambitions, which he cited as a crucial factor in his decision to join Unai Emery’s side. This transfer represents a calculated risk for Aston Villa; while Rashford possesses the potential to be a standout talent in the Premier League when in form, his performances have been inconsistent over the past 18 months. The club is set to cover 75% of his wages during his time at Villa Park, and both Rashford and the club will be hoping that this new environment, albeit temporary, can revitalise his career.
Interestingly, Rashford has never previously worn the number nine shirt at a senior level. He made his debut for Manchester United in 2016 wearing the number 39, later switching to 19 during his first full season. In 2018, he inherited the number 10 shirt from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a number he has retained ever since. For the England national team, he has primarily worn the numbers 10 or 11.
The history of Aston Villa's number nine shirt has been somewhat tumultuous since the introduction of fixed squad numbers in 1993. As highlighted by 90min, Jhon Duran had only begun to establish himself in the position before his transfer to Al Nassr. The club has seen several high-profile disappointments associated with the number nine shirt, including Scott Hogan, Wesley, and Danny Ings. Nicklas Helenius had a fleeting impact, managing just three Premier League appearances, while Marlon Harewood found the net five times in the league. In contrast, Darren Bent's tenure was more fruitful until an ankle injury curtailed his contributions in 2012. Savo Milosevic, despite a slow start, averaged a goal every three matches—an achievement that stands out compared to more recent incumbents.
Among those who have worn the number nine, Juan Pablo Angel remains the highest-scoring Colombian in Premier League history, although he netted most of his goals while wearing the numbers eight and 18. The benchmark for Villa's number nines over the past three decades is set by Dion Dublin, who, despite not starting in the number nine shirt and suffering a neck injury in 1999, scored an impressive 57 goals in all competitions before his departure in 2004.
As Marcus Rashford embarks on this new chapter with Aston Villa, he joins a lineage of players who have worn the number nine shirt, each with their own story and impact on the club. The hope is that Rashford can reignite his career and contribute significantly to Villa's aspirations in the Premier League.
**Player** | **Years in No.9**
--- | ---
Marcus Rashford | 2025
Jhon Duran | 2024 - 2025
Bertrand Traore | 2022 - 2024
Danny Ings | 2022 - 2023
Wesley | 2019 - 2022
Scott Hogan | 2017 - 2019
Scott Sinclair | 2014 - 2016
Nicklas Helenius | 2013 - 2014
Darren Bent | 2011 - 2013
Stephen Ireland | 2010 - 2011
Marlon Harewood | 2007 - 2010
Juan Pablo Angel | 2004 - 2007
Dion Dublin | 1999 - 2004
Stan Collymore | 1998 - 1999
Savo Milosevic | 1995 - 1998
Dean Saunders | 1993 - 1995