Marcus Rashford’s long-term future at Manchester United is under intense scrutiny, with fresh reports suggesting the club is exploring a swap deal involving Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins. Rashford, who joined Villa on loan in January, has shown flashes of brilliance under Unai Emery, but questions remain over his consistency and mentality.
The proposed deal, first reported by The Daily Star, would see Rashford plus a cash fee offered in exchange for Watkins, who has been in sensational form this season. The 28-year-old England international has scored 16 goals and provided 13 assists across all competitions, helping push Villa toward Champions League qualification.
Manchester United, now managed by Ruben Amorim, reportedly no longer views Rashford as central to their plans. Despite being one of the club’s academy success stories and once hailed as a future cornerstone of United’s attack, Rashford’s form and focus have been questioned in recent seasons. At 27, his career has hit a crossroads, and with Villa holding a £40 million option to buy, United is keen to leverage the situation.
However, the potential deal has not gone down well with some former United figures. Ex-goalkeeper Ben Foster was particularly critical, arguing that Unai Emery would be unlikely to accept a player with what he described as “mentality concerns.” Foster pointed to Rashford’s lackluster performance in the first leg of Villa’s recent European clash with Paris Saint-Germain, where he was largely anonymous, despite a much-improved showing in the return leg at Villa Park.
“One good game doesn’t erase weeks of inconsistency,” Foster said on his podcast. “Unai Emery is building something strong, something resilient and attitude is everything in that kind of project.”
Emery himself has remained tight-lipped on the speculation, but insiders at Villa suggest the Spanish coach is focused on players who align fully with his tactical demands and high work ethic traits that Watkins has consistently displayed.
As the summer transfer window approaches, Rashford faces a crucial decision: rediscover his peak form and commit fully, or risk being sidelined in the next chapter of Manchester United’s rebuild. Whether Aston Villa sees him as part of their ambitious future remains to be seen but for now, the swap deal hangs in the balance.
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