OPINION: Why Aston Villa is the ideal move for Marcus Rashford to revitalise his career | OneFootball

Marcus Rashford has officially completed a loan move to Aston Villa until the end of the season, but can he regain his form and return to the player who scored 30 goals in 2022/23?

Rashford has been at Manchester United since he was seven-years-old. He has worked his way through the academy and has been a first team player since 2015/16.

But the 27-year-old has been below his best of late. He scored just seven Premier League goals last season and has netted four times in the league this campaign.

He has found himself out of favour completely under new boss Ruben Amorim, who has been damning in his assessment of the forward’s performances in training.

Can Rashford turn it around at Villa?

Villa have given offered an enormous show of faith in Rashford by giving him the number nine shirt straight away. With Jhon Duran vacating it for the Saudi League, it could be the impetus Rashford needs.

And joining a club whose fortunes are so vastly different to United’s can only be a good thing. Flying in the Champions League and four points off the top four, Villa have a lot to play for in the remainder of this season.

Ollie Watkins has 11 goals and 10 assists this season and Morgan Rogers has 10 goals and five assists. For Rashford to be playing with players in fellow attacking players of real quality will only be a boost.

When Rashford scored 30 goals two years ago, Bruno Fernandes ended the season with 14 goals and 13 assists. He had help.

With how poor United have been since then, a lot of pressure has been on Rashford’s shoulders. Perhaps it’s because he is a local lad. Perhaps it is because he’s the attacker with the most talent. But too often the 27-year-old plays with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

A fresh start and a new team should help him alleviate the pressure and play his best football.

He will also have the chance to work with one of Europe’s top coaches in Unai Emery, a renowned tactician who gives clear instruction to his players and exactly what he wants from them.

Rashford could benefit from the discipline needed to play in an Emery team and will hope this is a move which reignites a declining career.