Marcus Rashford posts 'incredible' Aston Villa message after Champions League heartbreak
Marcus Rashford has thanked Villa for an “incredible” loan spell and backed the club to bounce back stronger from their Champions League disappointment.
The 27-year-old, who is expected to leave Manchester United permanently this summer, gave no clues to his future plans in a message posted on social media, though his chances of joining Villa are believed to be considerably reduced due to their failure to qualify for Europe’s elite club competition.
Sunday’s controversial 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford saw Villa finish sixth in the Premier League, meaning they will play in the less lucrative Europa League next season.
Rashford, who would have been unable to play against his parent club in any case, missed the final months of the season with a hamstring injury, after scoring four goals in 17 appearances following his January loan switch.
The England international, frozen out at United under Ruben Amorim, paid tribute to Unai Emery, his staff, team-mates and supporters.
He wrote: “Just a message of thanks to everyone at Villa for what has (injury aside) been an incredible few months for me.
“It is a really special club and I appreciated the way Villa fans embraced me with open arms from 1st minute on the pitch.
“Manager, team and coaching staff have all been brilliant.
“I know it is a huge disappointment not to have made the Champions League place which everyone worked so hard for all season but I know this club and team will come back stronger.”
Villa have a £40million option to buy Rashford permanently but the absence of Champions League football makes the deal financially tricky for a player who earns £325,000-a-week at United.
Barcelona last week confirmed their interest in signing Rashford permanently in the approaching transfer window.
