Marcus Rashford has officially left Manchester United after completing his loan transfer to Aston Villa.
The 27-year-old, who had previously consented to a move to Villa Park after losing favor with United manager Ruben Amorim, had his medical on Sunday night.
“Aston Villa is delighted to announce the loan signing of Marcus Rashford from Manchester United,” the club said on Sunday night to confirm the news.
The England international, who has 60 Three Lions caps, has a contract with Villa through the end of the current campaign. Marcus, welcome!
“I would like to thank Manchester United and Aston Villa for making this loan deal happen,” Rashford wrote on Instagram to share the news with his followers.
“Aston Villa was an easy choice, but I was fortunate to have a few clubs approach me. I truly admire the way Aston Villa has been playing this season and the managers’ goals.” All I want to do is play football, and I can’t wait to get started.
“Best wishes for the remainder of the season to all of you at Manchester United.”
“Everyone at Manchester United wishes Marcus good luck for the rest of the season,” the team wrote on their website.
In addition to Rashford’s initial loan until the end of the season, Villa will have the option to sign him permanently for a predetermined fee—roughly £40 million.
According to the agreement, Villa will pay 70% of his salary, and the loan package will include bonuses for both making progress in Europe and earning a spot in the Champions League the following season.
Since he and head coach Ruben Amorim had a falling out in mid-December, Rashford has not played for United.
Having played senior club football for United since he was eight years old, the 27-year-old has never played for another team.
Rashford, who has made 426 senior appearances for United and has 138 goals to his name, bid his teammates farewell on Saturday.
When discussing Rashford’s departure, United great Gary Neville acknowledged that there was a “tinge of sadness” about the way the academy product was leaving the team.
“I feel a lot of emotions… a tinge of sadness,” he remarked. Marcus Rashford was a standout player on and off the field when he was eight or nine years old, scoring thirty goals in the United program a few years ago. However, the decline in recent years has been concerning.
He must leave Manchester United and Old Trafford at all costs, and I regret expressing it even a few weeks ago, let alone a few months ago.
“I thought we would see a fresh start when Ruben Amorim took over, but it has gotten ten times worse under Amorim than it was under Ten Hag in that his manager has said some incredibly cruel things.”
They have only been with him for five or six weeks, and already they have damaged his reputation.
“So he needs to leave Old Trafford, get some freedom, and hang out at another club.”
Rashford joined the team at the age of seven and made his debut appearance in the first squad in 2016.
Rashford has assisted the team in winning two FA Cups, two League Cups, and one Europa League championship throughout his tenure.
Amorim has openly questioned Rashford’s commitment and way of life, warning him that he needs to change if he hopes to re-enter his plans.
Jhon Duran’s £65 million transfer to Al-Nassr earlier this week triggered Villa’s need for striking reinforcements.
With 12 goals this season, Duran led Villa in scoring.
Ollie Watkins, who has scored 11 goals this season, was substituted out of the game at halftime during Villa’s 2-0 loss to Wolves on Saturday due to an injury scare.
Meanwhile, after negotiations with Bayern Munich for Mathys Tel broke down, Man United’s quest for a Rashford successor came to a standstill on Sunday night.
The 19-year-old’s desire to join United was encouraged, but they have been unable to reach an agreement with Bayern on a loan agreement and terms of payment, and a settlement is now seen “unlikely.”
Christopher Nkunku of Chelsea is still a target for United, but it is regarded as challenging at this point, and other possibilities are being studied.