Ahead of Wednesday's Europa League final, winger Marcus Rashford, who is on loan at Aston Villa, sent his best wishes to his former club and team-mates. It was the most crucial game of the season for the Red Devils, with a win to win the title and secure a Champions League for next season, while a defeat would have doomed nothing and a laughing stock.
Manchester United's official social media account has released the views of players such as Garnacho and Amad Diallo on the Europa League final, with the 27-year-old commenting on the Europa League final: "good Good luck guys!"
Marcus Rashford, who joined Manchester United at the age of seven, has played in the Europa League twice and won it once. He started in the 2017 final, helping Jose Mourinho's side win the title 2-0 against Ajax. However, in the 2021 match against Villarreal, Rashford started but missed a good chance to finish, and the two teams drew 1-1 after 120 minutes, and finally Manchester United lost on penalties and missed the cup.
It is known that Rashford fell out with Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim at the end of last year and was loaned out to Aston Villa in January, although he performed well, scoring four goals and providing six assists, but eventually suffered an early season injury due to a hamstring injury. It is alleged that Rashford returned to Carrington's training ground after the injury to undergo an injury assessment. With Villa not necessarily qualified for the Champions League and likely unable to buy the 27-year-old England winger for £40 million, it is likely that Villa will need to return to training this summer.
As long as Amorim remains as Manchester United manager, Rashford is unlikely to play for the team again, as the manager is not satisfied with Rashford's training attitude, and he has even said that he would rather have 63-year-old goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital as a substitute than the England star who has not done his best.
That means United need to find a buyer for Marcus Rashford, who has refused to play in London and dreams of joining Barca. However, the £40 million transfer fee and £325,000 weekly salary make it difficult for Master La to find a new home.
Marcus Rashford's pre-match statement may have paved the way for a return to Manchester United. He may have to return to Carrington and wait for his path next season to be clear. According to former Manchester United chief scout Mike Brown, Rashford is ready to go out on loan again if the club are unable to achieve their goal of selling him permanently.
Brown confirmed on Football Insider that United are trying to find a team willing to buy Rashford, but his wages and transfer fees have daunted most clubs and another loan move may be the only option.
For example, if Villa buys out Rashford for £40 million and matches his £325,000 weekly salary, then they will need to pay £130 million over the next five years! As a result, Brown, who has worked for Marina, Tottenham, Villa and West Ham and has a wealth of connections, concludes that although Rashford has no future at United, it will be difficult to find a buyer.
'It's going to be very difficult for Manchester United to get Marcus Rashford out completely. Brown said, "Ideally, Manchester United would have liked to raise money by selling him, but they handled it badly. Rashford is unlikely to return, he has to leave if he can't sell it permanently, or on loan. Only three or four clubs can attract him, but there are also questions about whether they will be able to afford him and whether he will take a pay cut. Something similar happened in January, when he ended up on loan at Villa. The same story could be repeated in the summer, as most clubs can't afford his transfer fees."
Barcelona reportedly enquired about a loan move for Marcus Rashford in January, but could not afford his wages, and Villa, who were willing to pay 75 per cent of his weekly salary, eventually got him. According to rumors, Barcelona is the only giant who is willing to take a pay cut to join.
Another player who is set to return to United in the summer window is none other than Marcus Rashford's close friend and Dutch left-back Tyrell Malacia. He won the title with PSV Eindhoven, but only as a substitute for the team, and the Eredivisie champions will not activate the €10 million buy-out clause. The 25-year-old himself confirmed the outcome: "PSV Eindhoven won the title and I ended the chapter with a smile."