Aston Villa have completed the loan signing of Marcus Rashford from Manchester United, with the forward moving to Villa Park for the second half of the 2024-25 campaign.
Both Villa and Man United have released statements confirming the deal, with Rashford moving on loan, but it is understood that there will be an option to sign him on a permanent basis during this summer's transfer window.
"Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has joined Aston Villa on loan until the end of the 2024-25 season," read a statement from Man United's official website.
"The Academy graduate has made 426 appearances for United since his senior debut against FC Midtjylland in 2016. He has since scored 138 goals and lifted five major trophies."
Villa, meanwhile, said: "Aston Villa is delighted to announce the loan signing of Marcus Rashford from Manchester United. The England international, capped 60 times by the Three Lions, joins Villa on a deal until the end of the season."
Welcome, Marcus 👋 pic.twitter.com/ml3EzsNlqq
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 2, 2025
Man United forward Rashford joins Villa on loan
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, 75% of Rashford's £325,000-a-week salary is being covered by Villa, while the club will have the option to sign him on a permanent basis for £40m this summer.
Journalist Samuel Luckhurst added on X that Villa could end up contributing 90% of Rashford's wages depending on certain bonuses, with the deal therefore being a huge positive for Man United.
Rashford has not played for the Red Devils since December 12, having been overlooked by Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim due to lacklustre performances in training and his general demeanour around Carrington.
Amorim has consistently challenged Rashford to make the required changes to be picked again, but that has not been the case, and his exit, albeit on loan, has now been announced.
Barcelona, AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus are among the clubs to be linked with Rashford, but he has ultimately moved to another Premier League club, which looked almost impossible earlier in the transfer window.
Aston Villa is delighted to announce the loan signing of Marcus Rashford from Manchester United. pic.twitter.com/Zj9seYUIq0
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 2, 2025
When could Rashford make his Villa debut?
The fact that Rashford has not played for almost two months will be in Villa's thinking when it comes to his first involvement.
The forward has been training with Man United's first team throughout his absence, but his lack of match action means that it could take some time for him to get up to speed again.
However, there is every chance that Rashford could be involved in Villa's FA Cup fourth-round contest against Tottenham Hotspur next Sunday, with his first Premier League appearance for his new side potentially then coming against Ipswich Town on February 15.
Man United are attempting to bring in an attacker before Monday night's deadline, with Antony also being allowed to leave for Real Betis, but their hopes of signing Bayern Munich's Mathys Tel have allegedly taken a huge hit.
Matt Law
