By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Aston Villa have completed the signing of Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United.
Rashford, 27, moves to the West Midlands club for the remainder of the season with Villa holding an option to make the move permanent for £40million (€47.8m, $49.5m) in the summer.
United sources said the terms mean a minimum of 75% of Rashford’s wages will be covered. Villa are not paying a loan fee.
Writing on Instagram Rashford said: “I would like to thank Manchester United and Aston Villa for making this loan deal happen.
“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 manager’s ambitions. I just want to play football and am excited to get started.
“I wish everyone at Manchester United all the best for the rest of the season.”
On Saturday, Villa boss Unai Emery said the club “need new players” following their 2-0 defeat at relegation-threatened Wolves.
They have already signed Spanish full-back Andres Garcia from Levante and Netherlands forward Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund in January. But Villa sold Colombia striker Jhon Duran to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in a £71m deal and centre-back Diego Carlos to Fenerbahce for around £8.45m.
However, England striker Ollie Watkins went off injured on Saturday and the Villans have been forced to play central midfielder Boubacar Kamara in the centre of defence following injuries to Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings.
Villa said on Monday that 19-year-old defender Kosta Nedeljkovic has joined RB Leipzig on loan for the rest of the season.
Nedeljkovic has started only two games for Villa since arriving from Red Star Belgrade in January 2024.
In total, Rashford has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for United. He has won the Europa League, two FA Cups and two Carabao Cups during his time at Old Trafford.
He has also scored 17 goals for England. He has played in two World Cups and two European Championships for his country.