Marcus Rashford played his last game for Aston Villa – at least for the time being – after Unai Emery confirmed that the injury would hold him against Tottenham. The attacker is not eligible to be confronted with Ouderclub Manchester United on the last day, so attention now turns to his future.
Rashford is ready to decide on his next steps after the season is over, with little certainty where he will play as soon as the summer transfer window is closed, apart from the expectation that it will be away from United.
Being in Villa and under Emery works Rashford rejuvenated, whose relationship with the United Baas Ruben Amorim was demolished before he left in February. The forward, often overlooked for a place in the wrestling team of United, displaced Ollie Watkins in Villa.
Rashford, who scored four goals and gave six assists on loan in 17 games, began to repair his reputation in Villa after a reliable 18 months in Old Trafford, in which his work costs and desire were generally questioned.
Those versions have not gone unnoticed and will probably generate a larger market for Rashford this summer than in January. His next step will be crucial, especially for the World Cup 2026. But where does he want to go?
Sky Sports News understands that Rashford's preference is to play Champions League football next season and staying in Villa remains a possibility he will consider.
Villa is outside the top five of the goal difference with two more games to play and, unless they can win heavily against wrestling Tottenham and Man Utd, rely on the teams above them to drop points to return to the top competition of Europe.
Sky Sports News reported in March that Villa still had to decide whether they will use their option to sign Rashford for £ 40 million.
If Rashford goes somewhere else in the Premier League, it is assumed that he does not want to move to London and want to play for one of the clubs in the capital.
Barcelona was enthusiastic about Rashford in the winter window and continues to follow his situation. The attacker was said that he was interested in moving to the Catalan club, but an approach never came true.
The competition for places in Barcelona is high in the broad forward positions, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, two of the favorites for the Ballon d'Or, unlikely that they will be moved.
As far as the man Utd is concerned, apparently it appears that replacing replacements with Rashford, with Matheus Cunha and Liam Delap under their top goals.
Rashford's wage, which Villa corresponded to cover at least 75 percent of his loan, were considered a potential stumbling block in January and could again cause problems.
United has Rashford on a contract until 2028 that is one of the top earners at Old Trafford. Finding a club that is willing to match his salary may not be an easy task.
Given the financial limitations of United, the collection of transfer funds of players' sales will be a focus this summer, and Rashford is one of the best candidates for that thanks to its form in Villa.
His representatives are against taking their client in all partial exchange, which means that United must find a buyer of a money if they have to say goodbye forever.
United receives £ 40 million from Villa if their option is exercised – but there is the possibility that other interested parties can also come in with higher bids.
In the possibility, no permanent deal can be agreed, then United can be forced to lend Rashford again because he has left his contract for three years.
Both United and Rashford are believed to believe that the new environment has done miracles for him and the intention is to continue that permanently.
Merse Backing Villa to be eligible for Champions League
Paul Merson of Sky Sports believes that Aston Villa has a strong chance to qualify for the Champions League – which can be the key to convince Rashford to participate permanently.
Emery's side is in sixth place, a place outside of a place under Europe elite, after winning six of their last seven games in the Premier League.
Villa is confronted with Tottenham and Man Utd in their last two games and are on points with Chelsea, for them in the table only on goal difference.
The supercomputer of OPTA has given them a 38 percent chance of breaking in in the Champions League places.
“I see Villa with 69 points, whatever happens,” said Merson on Sky Sports.
“As a man utd the cup wins [Europa League]They will celebrate and will not be busy. If they lose, you have to push them out of the dressing room to play that game!
“I see Chelsea win on Friday evening football. Then they have to beat Nottingham Forest.
“The problem is Man City, they can be the sixth in the competition by the time they play Bournemouth! I expect that Chelsea and Villa will both win. City does not play because of the FA Cup final.
“I don't see Newcastle Arsenal beating and then they have to beat Everton, a difficult team to play against.
“Forest needs to get a result and win at West Ham or they will end up seventh. It is extremely exciting. You wouldn't want to be there!”
Sky Sports to show 215 Live PL games next season
From next season, the Premier League coverage of Sky Sports will increase from 128 games to at least 215 games that are exclusively live.
And 80 percent of all Premier League matches broadcast on television will be on Sky Sports next season.