Marcus Rashford targets Champions League glory at Aston Villa as Man Utd loanee claims he can still 'hurt teams & decide games'

The Manchester United forward, who found himself out of favour under Ruben Amorim, has now completed a loan switch to Villa Park, marking the end of his struggles at Old Trafford. Rashford will spend the remainder of the 2024-25 season with Unai Emery’s squad, with Villa having the option to make the transfer permanent for £40 million ($49m) in the summer.

Villa finished eighth in the Champions League league phase standings, which has helped them secure a direct ticket to the round of 16. Rashford is thrilled to be returning to Europe’s top-tier club competition and believes Villa have the ambition and firepower to go far.

"Being back in the Champions League is hugely exciting," he told the club media. "It’s the biggest competition for a club to be involved in, and they’re always great nights. We want to get as far as we can, and if we don’t aim to win it, then we’re never going to win it. I’m sure it will be a great experience for me playing for Villa in the Champions League."

Despite a challenging spell at United, Rashford remains confident in his ability to impact games.

"I know I can hurt teams and, when I’m at my best, decide football games," he asserted. "That will be my only goal, to help the team win more games, more points and hopefully create history. I’ve played a fair amount of games in the Champions League so I feel like I’m experienced and know how to handle those situations. It’s my first time playing for another team but it’s been excitement rather than being scared. It’s an ambitious time for this club and a great opportunity for me to help them keep pushing forward."

Throughout the January transfer window, Rashford was heavily linked with a move away from Manchester United, with AC Milan and Barcelona both showing interest. However, despite the possibility of moving abroad, he ultimately decided to remain in England, opting to join Villa’s ambitious project under Emery. Although Aston Villa did not pay a loan fee for Rashford, they have agreed to cover at least 75 per cent of his £325,000-per-week wages. This figure could increase to 90 per cent if certain performance-related bonuses are met, making it a significant financial commitment from the Midlands club.

As he embarks on this new chapter, Rashford will be looking to reignite his career and prove that he still has plenty to offer at the highest level. He could make his Aston Villa debut this weekend, as the club face Tottenham in an FA Cup fourth-round clash on Sunday.