Marcus Rashford 'feels picked on' and believes Man United chief is behind exit as forward joins Aston Villa

Marcus Rashford 'feels picked on' and believes Man United chief is behind exit as forward joins Aston Villa

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Marcus Rashford leaves Man United for Aston Villa

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 03/02/2025

- 09:03

The winger has left Old Trafford on loan after falling out with Ruben Amorim

Marcus Rashford reportedly feels 'picked on' and believes Sir Jim Ratcliffe is behind his departure from Manchester United after the winger joined Aston Villa on Sunday.

The 27-year-old has departed for Unai Emery's side after being frozen out by manager Ruben Amorim ever since the middle of December.


Rashford's loan move to Villa was announced on Sunday night, with the England international looking forward to his new challenge.

He will be hoping to be a key player for Emery's team, especially given the recent departure of Jhon Duran to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.

Marcus Rashford Aston VIlla Man United

Marcus Rashford reportedly feels 'picked on' and believes Sir Jim Ratcliffe is behind his departure from Manchester United after the winger joined Aston Villa on Sunday

GETTY

According to The Sun, Rashford has been left saddened by his departure.

And he believes Ratcliffe, who has been cutting costs behind the scenes ever since buying a minority stake in the club, is the real one driving his exit.

“Marcus thinks Sir Jim wants him out of the club and has basically told head coach Ruben Amorim to get him out," an insider is quoted as saying.

“He might just have met his match with Sir Jim.”

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They then added: “Marcus feels like he is being picked on.

“In the early days of training under Amorim, he was trying to learn new systems and other players were also struggling — but he was the one who was getting more vocal criticism.

“He knows he needs to leave but he’s shocked that no big team has pulled out all the stops to get him. There’s been interest but financially it’s a complicated deal and that’s put quite a few teams off.

“Marcus has been left bewildered by how quickly his relationship with Amorim has disintegrated.”

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Rashford made a positive impression when Amorim first took over, scoring United's first goal under the 40-year-old in a 1-1 draw with Ipswich.

But he's blown hot and cold for the best part of 18 months, having previously toiled under Erik ten Hag.

Rashford had been linked with Barcelona and, at one point, they were his preferred destination.

Yet the Catalan giants lacked the finances required to get the winger, leaving the England international with no choice but to head to Villa instead.

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Marcus Rashford believes Sir Jim Ratcliffe is behind his departure from Man United to Aston Villa

PA

Meanwhile, writing on social media, Rashford said he was excited about playing for Villa - while also wishing everybody well at United best for the future.

"I would like to thank Manchester United and Aston Villa for making this loan deal happen," he said.

"I was lucky to have a few clubs approach me but Aston Villa was an easy decision - I really admire the way that Aston Villa have been playing this season, and the managers’ ambitions.

"I just want to play football and am excited to get started.

Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford has left Man United for Aston Villa after falling down the pecking order at Old Trafford

PA

"I wish everyone at Manchester United all the best for the rest of the season."

Several of his team-mates, including Joshua Zirkzee and Alejandro Garnacho, have wished him luck.

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