Man Utd confirm Marcus Rashford's loan transfer to Aston Villa with £40m buy option as Red Devils also reach surprising salary agreement

Rashford has joined Villa on loan until the end of the season, with The Athletic reporting that the Lions also have the option to buy him outright for £40 million ($49m) in the summer. United had actively been looking for suitors for Rashford after his explosive interview with Henry Winter in December, in which he expressed his desire to seek a "new challenge". The 27-year-old has now got his wish, having spent the last few weeks in exile at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim.

United confirmed Rashford's loan move in a statement on their official website, which reads: "Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has joined Aston Villa on loan until the end of the 2024/25 season. Everyone at Manchester United wishes Marcus good luck for the rest of the season."

Rashford has become Villa's third signing of the January transfer window, after Andres Garcia from Levante and Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund, and will be expected to go straight into Unai Emery's lineup after Jhon Duran's departure to Al-Nassr.

The Athletic have also revealed that Villa are surprisingly covering 75 percent of Rashford's £325,000 per week salary, potentially rising to 90 if he meets performance-related targets. Rashford is the second player to leave United on loan this month after Brazilian winger Antony, who joined La Liga outfit Real Betis.

Rashford could make his debut for Villa when they face Tottenham in the fourth round of the FA Cup on February 9. He will also be looking forward to a return to Champions League action next month, with Villa having qualified for the round of 16 after finishing eighth in the new league phase.