Rashford joins Aston Villa on loan to end Man United saga

Aston Villa confirmed the signing of Marcus Rashford on Sunday, adding the forward from Manchester United on loan for the remainder of the season.

Villa will reportedly cover the majority of the 27-year-old's salary during his loan spell, and the deal includes a £40-million purchase option, sources told David Ornstein of The Athletic.

"I was lucky to have a few clubs approach me but Aston Villa was an easy decision - I really admire the way that Aston Villa have been playing this season, and the manager's ambitions," Rashford said. "I just want to play football and am excited to get started. I wish everyone at Manchester United all the best for the rest of the season."

Rashford has the opportunity to rebuild his career at Villa Park after it was derailed by a curious saga that saw him exiled by his boyhood club. The versatile forward, who made over 400 appearances and scored 138 goals for Manchester United after coming through the academy, hadn't played since Dec. 12, often being left out of the squad entirely by manager Ruben Amorim.

The Portuguese tactician publicly called out Rashford and questioned his work ethic multiple times, including last week when he said he'd rather give minutes to 63-year-old goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital than someone who isn't giving the "maximum" in training.

Rashford previously said he was ready for a "new challenge" after being dropped by Amorim for the Manchester derby in December.

There were strong links to both AC Milan and Barcelona, but Rashford's salary, which reportedly saw him earn £300,000 per week at Old Trafford, proved prohibitive for both clubs.

Villa emerged as a late suitor after the sale of Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr.

In Rashford, a player with a point to prove, manager Unai Emery will have someone capable of playing with primary striker Ollie Watkins as Villa navigate both their Premier League top-four push and their continued participation in the Champions League.

Villa, currently sitting eighth in England's top flight, secured automatic passage to the round of 16 in Europe's premier club competition. Manchester United, 13th in the Premier League, are struggling mightily for goals, finding the net just 28 times in 24 league matches so far this season. The two sides meet at Old Trafford on May 25, the final day of the Premier League campaign.

Rashford has seven goals in 24 appearances this season. He registered a career-high 30 tallies during the 2022-23 campaign.