Aston Villa confirm forward departure after £40m snub as Newcastle United eye Joao Pedro alternative
Marcus Rashford Set to Leave Manchester United After Aston Villa Loan Spell Ends
Marcus Rashford’s future is once again up in the air following the conclusion of his short-term loan spell at Aston Villa. The England international joined Villa on loan for the second half of the 2024/25 season, having found himself on the fringes at Manchester United after a dip in form and falling out of favour under Erik ten Hag.
During his time at Villa Park, the 27-year-old forward made 17 appearances in all competitions, registering a solid return of four goals and six assists. Rashford provided a notable attacking boost for Unai Emery’s side during their push for European qualification, with his pace, creativity, and versatility across the front line proving valuable.
Aston Villa had secured a £40 million option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season, but the club has now confirmed that they will not be activating that clause. As a result, Rashford is set to return to Old Trafford, though his long-term future at Manchester United appears increasingly uncertain.
In an official club statement released on Monday, Aston Villa expressed their gratitude to Rashford for his contributions, alongside fellow January loanees Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi, both of whom are also heading back to their respective parent clubs.
United to Decide Rashford’s Future Amid Interest From Abroad
Manchester United are now facing a key decision regarding Rashford’s future. With three years still remaining on his current contract—reported to be worth £325,000 per week—the club is believed to be open to offers, both domestic and abroad. According to The Athletic, Rashford himself is leaning towards a move outside of England, possibly in search of a fresh start away from the Premier League spotlight.
Despite Villa opting not to secure him permanently, the previously agreed £40 million price tag is still expected to apply for any club looking to make a move this summer.
Newcastle United Enter the Race
One of the most surprising suitors to emerge for Rashford is Newcastle United. Reports from SunSport suggest that the Magpies are “confident” they can provide Rashford with the platform to rediscover his best form in both the Premier League and Champions League during the 2025/26 campaign.
Although Manchester United’s preference is to offload Rashford on a permanent basis, they are said to be open to the possibility of a season-long loan or even a player swap, if it aligns with their financial and squad planning.
However, striking a loan deal may prove complicated. Rashford’s high wages remain a stumbling block, and unless United are willing to subsidise a significant portion of his salary, a temporary switch could be financially prohibitive. Moreover, Newcastle’s recent transfer approach has leaned away from loans, especially given the implications such deals have on Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Since the club’s Saudi-backed takeover, their only completed loan deal was that of Matt Targett from Aston Villa in January 2022—a move that eventually turned permanent for £15 million but has since failed to yield long-term success.
Rashford: A Risky But Proven Talent
Newcastle are actively seeking to strengthen their attack this summer, particularly with striker Callum Wilson now out of contract. While Rashford naturally plays off the left wing—a position already well-covered by Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes—his ability to play across the front three could make him a valuable addition to Eddie Howe’s squad.
Despite a relatively underwhelming campaign last season, Rashford’s overall track record speaks for itself. With 138 goals in 426 appearances for Manchester United, including a standout 30-goal season in 2022/23, he remains one of the most prolific forwards to have come through the club’s academy in recent years. In the 2024/25 campaign, split between United and Villa, he still managed to reach double figures in goal contributions—scoring 11 goals in 41 games.
While Newcastle recently missed out on the signing of Brazilian forward João Pedro—who is set to join Chelsea from Brighton—they continue to explore forward options with high upside. Rashford, for all his recent struggles, offers experience on both the international and European stages and could be a high-reward gamble if he rediscovers his form.
That said, even if Newcastle were to complete a deal for Rashford, there is no guarantee of regular starts. Swedish striker Alexander Isak remains the club’s top option through the middle, and Gordon is widely expected to retain his place on the left flank after a stellar season. Rashford would likely face stiff competition for minutes, raising questions about whether a move to St James’ Park would benefit him professionally.
What Next for Rashford?
As the transfer window progresses, the future of Marcus Rashford is likely to be one of the more intriguing subplots of the summer. Whether he finds a new challenge abroad, takes on a fresh Premier League chapter, or unexpectedly reintegrates at Manchester United, one thing is clear: his next move could be pivotal in reshaping the trajectory of a once-promising career that has stalled in recent years.