Update: Aston Villa’s Marcus Rashford stance clear as Man United await summer transfer decision News

Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford scored his fourth goal for Aston Villa on Tuesday night in their 2-1 defeat to Manchester City

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has expressed his delight with Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford during his loan spell in the West Midlands this year.

Rashford temporarily left United in the January transfer window after a fallout with Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese head coach dropped him from the team that beat Manchester City in December and he would only make one unused substitute appearance before joining Villa.

Since moving to the West Midlands, Rashford has started to rediscover his form and bagged his fourth goal for the club on Tuesday night in his side’s 2-1 defeat to City at the Etihad Stadium. Post-match, Emery was asked for his opinion on Rashford and gave a glowing report.

“I am so, so happy with him,” he told reporters. “He’s performing very well, his adaptation has been quick and his communication with teammates, and the process we are having together, is very important for us and for him.

“Keep going, every player has to be ready for Saturday.” The defeat for Villa in Manchester has put their chances of qualifying for the Champions League in doubt with the gap to the top five likely to expand while they compete in the FA Cup this weekend.

MEN Sport reported on Wednesday that Rashford is set to stall his decision on his future until the end of the season. The goal for the 27-year-old is to be playing Champions League football next season which Villa may not be able to guarantee.

Villa hold a £40m buy option in the loan agreement with the Reds and can activate it regardless of whether they play in the Champions League or not. However, Rashford would still have to agree personal terms with Emery which could prove a sticking point in negotiations.

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur were linked with Rashford in January but the United academy graduate has no intention of moving to London. Barcelona were also seen as being a potential destination for the winger although it remains to be seen if they have the financial capacity to make a deal.

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