Marcus Rashford has found a new lease on life at Aston Villa, delivering an impressive performance in their FA Cup quarter-final victory over Preston.
His latest display, which included a brace, has sparked discussions about whether his departure from Manchester United was the best move for his career.
The England international had fallen out of favor at Old Trafford, with reports suggesting he struggled to fit into Ruben Amorim’s tactical plans.
However, since joining Villa on loan last month, he has been rediscovering his form.
His latest goals helped Villa secure a 3-0 win on Sunday, earning them a spot in the FA Cup semi-finals.
After the match, Rashford hinted at feeling fitter and more comfortable in his new environment.
While speaking to BBC Sport, he expressed his satisfaction with his current situation, saying, “It’s a great feeling, I feel like I’ve been getting fitter and playing better football since I’ve been here. It’s obviously nice for a forward to get a goal so hopefully it continues.”
Moreover, Rashford emphasized that Villa’s ambitions align with his own, making it easier for him to give his all on the pitch.
“I think we have to just take it one game at a time and give it 100 percent on the pitch and see where it takes us,” he added.
“We’re a very ambitious team – we want to win and try and get as far as we can in all competitions and we also want to push to get back into the top four.”
Meanwhile, football analyst Micah Richards has suggested that Rashford is thriving at Villa because Unai Emery has created a structured and organized environment.
According to Richards, Rashford struggled at United under both Erik ten Hag and Amorim, as the system did not suit his playing style.
“The difference is Emery has got a structure, he’s got a plan,”* Richards explained.
“Under Ten Hag it was difficult, and the new manager Amorim has found it difficult to put across exactly what he wants.”
Furthermore, he noted that Amorim’s preferred tactics may not have been a good fit for Rashford.
“If you’re going to play a different formation, where is he gonna play? Is he going to play in one of the front three positions or maybe as a wing-back? It doesn’t really suit him,” Richards added.
The transition to Aston Villa appears to be a turning point for Rashford, who has quickly become a key player in Emery’s squad.
The 27-year-old’s confidence has visibly improved, and his contributions on the pitch are proving crucial for his new team.
Despite concerns raised by Amorim about Rashford’s commitment to training, the forward seems to be thriving under a new system.
His recent performances suggest that Villa’s style of play is bringing out the best in him, allowing him to enjoy his football again.
Additionally, Rashford himself admitted that he is still working towards full fitness but remains optimistic about his progress.
“Step by step. I think I can still get fitter. I missed a lot of football before joining up with them,” he said.
“At the minute, my body feels good, I’m injury-free, and I’m enjoying my football, so all good for now.”
With Villa holding an option to sign Rashford permanently at the end of the season, his future remains a topic of discussion.
However, for now, his focus is on maintaining his form and contributing to Villa’s ambitions.
His resurgence at Villa has been widely praised, and many believe that the move has been one of the best decisions of his career.
