Aston Villa have signed Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United.
The 27-year-old joined United at the age of seven and will now spend the rest of the season at the Midlands club after falling out of favour in his boyhood side.
United manager Ruben Amorim had frozen Rashford out at Old Trafford since taking over, telling him that he “has to change” to have a future at the football club.
Villa offered him a way out after he hadn’t featured in United’s last 12 games and they agreed an initial loan deal until the end of the season with a reported option to buy.
Sky News understands that does not commit Rashford to remain at Villa next season if other offers come in.
Sharing news of the move on his Instagram, Rashford said: “I would like to thank Manchester United and Aston Villa for making this loan deal happen.
“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.
“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.”
Following the departures of Jhon Duran to Saudi Arabia in a £64m move and Emiliano Buendia to Bayer Leverkusen in Germany on loan, Villa had been looking for attacking reinforcements before Monday’s transfer deadline.
Villa boss Unai Emery was reportedly personally keen on bringing Rashford in.
The forward, who is believed to earn about £300,000 per week, wasn’t picked for England’s Euro 2024 squad last year, and has struggled for form in recent seasons.
Sky Sports News reported that Villa will cover at least 75% of Rashford’s wages, but that this could rise up to 90% depending on his personal and team performances.
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Rashford became the youngest recipient of an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester in October 2021, following his campaigning against child poverty – which included forcing then prime minister Boris Johnson to make a U-turn on free school meals.
The England international said in December he was “ready for a new challenge”.
