Following A Season-Ending Injury, Should Aston Villa Permanently Sign Marcus Rashford?

Marcus Rashford – one of England’s most talked about players and once one of their most talented. His boyhood story with Manchester United hit a bump in January – the 28-year-old taking a brief trip to Birmingham to join Aston Villa on loan.

Since moving to Villa Park, Rashford has impressed – getting his name back on to the scoresheet, into the England squad, and playing with a smile on his face. However, since moving to Villa, Rashford has had to adapt his game, Unai Emery preferring the England international in a more central role as a striker. Seemingly, the 28-year-old has replaced Ollie Watkins, but with a stacked attack, Emery has plenty of options in Watkins and Donyell Malen.

🚨 Marcus Rashford expected to miss rest of season with hamstring injury. No surgery + rehab at #AVFC as tests ongoing. #THFC game not totally ruled out but highly likely campaign over & 27yo to focus on getting fit for England games in June @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/RTzF1M9o0u

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) April 28, 2025

But all good things come to an end, and for Rashford, it seems that his stint at the midlands has come to a premature conclusion as the England attacker looks set to be out for the rest of the season due to injury.

However, as the season approaches its finale, that means one thing – the transfer window. For Rashford, it seems that his future will not lie in Manchester under the management of Ruben Amorim next summer, and he will need to find a move in the window. After a promising stint at Villa Park, should Aston Villa look to sign Rashford permanently?

Moments In Manchester

A boyhood red and ‘one of their own’ – fans always graduate towards local lads, but Marcus Rashford always seemed to be different. Making his full professional for the club at the age of 18-years-old in 2016, scoring twice against Midtjylland in the Europa League before making his Premier League debut against Arsenal. Rashford went on to score eight goals in 18 appearances in all competitions in his debut campaign, following up with 11 goals in the 2016/17 season. For the next two years, Rashford would score 13 goals in all competitions, but the 2019/20 season was when he announced himself as one of the Premier League’s best.

18 years old Marcus rashford scoring brace in 3 minutes vs Arsenal on his PL debut.

ICONIC 🌟pic.twitter.com/hEkgKjp4mE https://t.co/aWNHXxQ77U

— Marcel (@UTDMarcel) June 18, 2023

Pace, skill, size, physicality, and clinical finishing on the wing – Rashford seemed to have everything, and still at an early age, he had the world at his feet. The 27-year-old scored 22 goals and provided eight assists in his fifth campaign, and now was time to kick on for Rashford to become one of Europe’s best. This wasn’t the case, despite netting 26 goals in his next two years, the Englishman would pick up several injuries, reducing him to only 25 Premier League appearances in 2021/22.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿💥 Marcus Rashford (25) is on absolute fire under Erik ten Hag! 24 goals + 8 assists for club this season. Incredible form. pic.twitter.com/KzsqInHpTK

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) February 19, 2023

Next came the appointment of Erik ten Haag as the English international prepared for yet another new manager and system to adapt to. But Rashford flourished under the Dutchman’s tenure, scoring 30 times in 56 appearances within his first season with ten Haag – this would be Rashford’s best season in senior football, earning the English a call-up back into the national team and attracting interest from some of Europe’s top clubs as the Red Devils continued to struggle. United’s own stayed put, but since Rashford has not been able to get near old heights – returning singular goal returns in back-to-back seasons and in the modern day failing to meet the requirements of his new coach.

Should Villa Sign Him?

One team’s loss is another team’s gain, and for Aston Villa - that was exactly the case as they were able to secure an eye-catching move in the 2025 January window to sign Rashford on loan for the remainder of the season. An ambitious land and a key move for a side under Unai Emery, chasing Champions League football. While he would not be an instant success on the scoresheet, the signs were there, and Rashford looked to be playing with a newly found freedom at Villa Park.

Well it was fun while it lasted.

◎ 17 games played
◎ 10 starts
◎ 937 minutes played
◎ 4 goals
◎ 5 assists
◎ 1 goal involvement every 104 minutes

Marcus Rashford 💜 pic.twitter.com/GnaOMv0LWI

— Aston Villa Statto (@AVFCStatto) April 28, 2025

Apart from the change of scenery, the main charge for the Man United man was positioning as Emery moved Rashford into more of a central striker to replace Ollie Watkins rather than his usual position on the wing. Competition is key in the Midlands, with Morgan Rogers and Leon Bailey competing for spots, but Rashford has made a positive image of himself at Villa, scoring four goals and assisting five times in 17 appearances for his temporary club. But as it always seems in recent years for the winger – giant leaps forward are always met with setbacks. Rashford now remains out for Emery’s side with a reported season-ending injury – a real shame for the England international, who looked to be beginning to get back to his best and into his stride in a Villa shirt. Not only is his recent injury bad for the season, but it may also affect the thinking of the Midlands club in the summer transfer window and the attacker’s future.

Second Chance At Old Trafford?

There is also a second option for Rashford, and while, it seems to be up to himself, as United look set for a spot in the bottom half finish in the Premier League this season – the services of an England international could be a great help for Amorim’s side. With that being said, the winger will have to be up to the standards of his new Portuguese boss and work hard to make an impact at his boyhood club.

🚨🎖️| Rashford and Villa want to continue together as they are happy together. Unai Emery’s relationship with him is good, but it depends on the money. There are MORE clubs interested in Rashford. #MUFC [@FabrizioRomano] pic.twitter.com/Orq4ffmaui

— UtdTruthful (@Utdtruthful) April 26, 2025

His future at Manchester United may look bleak, but there will be waves of interest from European clubs if Aston Villa deem him surplus to requirements. However, with the form of Watkins this season and Villa’s need for a big squad, the most likely and logical summer outcome for Rashford currently looks like a permanent move to Villa Park.