Marcus Rashford's future remains in the spotlight as he approaches the last month of his loan spell with Aston Villa, who are among a number of clubs that he'd be open to joining
Marcus Rashford won't rush to decide his Manchester United future - but has ruled out a potential move to London. Rashford, 27, is coming towards the end of his loan spell with Aston Villa, who have the option to sign him permanently for £40million.
United are counting on selling academy graduate Rashford to partially fund their summer transfer business. The Red Devils have identified Liam Delap, Victor Osimhen and Matheus Cunha as forward targets who can transform Ruben Amorim's attack from feeble to formidable.
Amorim lost faith in Rashford ahead of the January transfer window but he's showed signs of rediscovering his best form at Villa. The forward has scored four goals and laid on five assists in 17 appearances, with his performances earning him a recall to the England squad.
But where he'll be playing his club football next season remains uncertain. Rashford, under contract until 2028, is aware he may not be wanted back at United by Amorim, but will wait to decide his future until the summer and he won't move to London.
That rules out Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, who've all been linked with some level of interest in the 27-year-old. Rashford also has no interest in being part of a swap deal amid suggestions that the Red Devils could use him as a makeweight in a deal for Villa striker Ollie Watkins.
As for where Rashford does want to go, his preference is to join a Champions League team. That could be either at home or abroad, with Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle and Villa battling it out to qualify for next season's competition.
Barcelona, rumoured to be his dream destination, showed a feeling interest in Rashford in January while Italian giants Juventus were also linked. AC Milan were long considered the frontrunners to sign him until their situation changed.
Rashford remains open to a permanent stay with Villa, who themselves are keen. But Unai Emery saw his side's chances of qualifying for the Champions League take a hit on Tuesday by losing 2-1 away to City.
The United loanee scored a penalty to equalise in the first half, his sixth start in Villa's last eight games. Emery's side face Crystal Palace in an FA Cup semi-final on Saturday and the Villa boss wants him to play a role at Wembley.
"I am so happy with him, he is performing very well," Emery said of Rashford. "His adaptation has been quick, his commitment to the team and his team mates and the process we are doing together.
"He has been really important for us and he has to keep going. Now, on Saturday, hopefully he can help us again and, like everybody, be ready and focused on this match."