Aston Villa -Baas Unai Emery is looking forward to the “huge challenge” to bring Marcus Rashford back to his best.
The 27-year-old came on loan from Manchester United at Villa until the end of the season, with the option of a permanent transfer in the summer.
Rashford left his boy's club after he was frozen under new boss Ruben Amorim, with his performances that stagnated in recent years.
He is in the frame to make his debut against Tottenham in the fourth round of Sunday's FA Cup.
'The challenge of Rashford is exciting'
“I am very happy with the window we did, I am very happy with him,” said Emery. “The conversation I had with him was a very normal conversation with a player and coach, who spoke about football.
“I only want the best football of him. As a person also in the dressing room as another player who helps us.
“I think his potential is a huge potential to exploit. I don't want to know that he is leaving Manchester, but I am very happy to keep him here.
“I am very happy to try to exploit and help him restore his versions, individually and collectively. My challenge with him is huge. His challenge with us is exciting.”
Amorim publicly questioned Rashford's performances in the training and said on Thursday that he “couldn't show Marcus how to play and train as I see”.
Emery was not willing to see too far into the future if Rashford's long -term future would be in Villa Park.
“Today he trained Fantastic, tomorrow again, Sunday competition,” he said on Friday. “We will enjoy every step and then the future is only building with the present.
“If we try to get the future before we build the present, it is impossible if we do it, we will crash.”
Watkins to miss Spurs Clash
Villa will be Watkins without Ollie for Tottenham's visit after he injured his groin in last week's defeat at Wolves.
Emery, however, hopes that he will be available the next week.
“For him every day is important how he feels,” said the Spaniard Friday.
“He will not be available for Sunday because he is not training today and tomorrow he will not train so well because he hopefully has to recover for the following week he will be available.”
Defenders Tyrone Mings, Pau Torres and Matty Cash will also miss against Spurs, together with midfielder Ross Barkley.
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