Newcastle 'to offer Marcus Rashford escape route' from Man Utd nightmare

England international forward Marcus Rashford is still expected to leave Manchester United this summer, despite his Aston Villa loan switch not leading to a permanent move

Newcastle United could give Marcus Rashford a route back into the Champions League. The Manchester United forward's time at Old Trafford looks to be up, but his options are limited.

Barcelona had been thought to be Rashfird's preference, but the Catalan club have been eyeing other targets. Nico Williams and Luis Diaz are high on their list, with Williams looking the more likely at the time of writing.

Rashford impressed on loan at Aston Villa in the second half of last season. A move back to Villa Park appears unlikely, though, after Unai Emery's side missed out on Champions League qualification on the final day of the season.

It was Newcastle who took the Premier League's final Champions League spot, finishing above Villa on goal difference. And now, according to The Sun, they could be the ones to hand Rashford another shot at European football.

Thintw might not be completely straightforward, though. The same publication suggests Newcastle are pursuing a season-long loan deal while his current employers would prefer a permanent sale.

Rashford scored four goals in 17 Villa appearances, also providing six assists. Two of those goals came in the Premier League as Emery's men pushed for a top-five finish, but he missed the final few games of the season after picking up a hamstring injury.

"Just a message of thanks to everyone here at Villa for what has ( injury aside) been an incredible few months for me," he wrote on Instagram after the final weekend of the season. "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 all season for but I know this club and team will come back stronger."

Rashford is under contract at Manchester United until 2028, but isn't expected to remain at the club. Back in December, the month in which he made his most recent appearance for his boyhood club, he spoke about a desire for a fresh challenge.

"For me, personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps," the England international was quoted as saying by Henry Winter. "When I leave it's going to be 'no hard feelings'. You're not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That's me as a person.

"If I know that a situation is already bad I'm not going to make it worse. I'e seen how other players have left in the past and I don't want to be that person. When I leave I'll make a statement and it will be from me."