Graeme Souness has questioned whether Aston Villa should sign Marcus Rashford permanently from Manchester United this summer. Rashford has made a positive impact at Villa Park, but Souness harbours concerns over his price tag and the knock-on effect his earnings would have on the club’s wage structure.
The 27-year-old has scored three goals and provided six assists in 16 games since joining Unai Emery’s squad on loan in January. Emery has regularly started Rashford ahead of Ollie Watkins as Villa push for a top-five Premier League finish and prepare for an FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace. However, Souness has urged the Villans against boosting United’s financial situation by triggering their £40million option to buy at the end of the season.
He wrote in his Daily Mail column: “Has he really pulled up any trees in his time on loan? Unai Emery will know more having seen him up close.
“He has started him in key games, but has he really done enough? Aston Villa know this is a huge transfer for Manchester United.
“If they pay the £40m fee, it gives United greater headroom with Profit and Sustainability to buy in the summer, so why should Villa do United any favours?
“They know how desperate United are, so they’ll likely bid low. Villa won’t want to match his wages as they’ll have everyone else knocking on the manager’s door asking for over £300,000 a week.”
On top of the potential issue impacting Villa’s wider wage bill, Souness has also raised doubts about Rashford’s attitude.
The Liverpool icon wouldn’t be surprised if Rashford “reverts to the same moody individual who struggled to turn up for Manchester United”.
He added: “This is a Manchester boy who had to leave his boyhood club. They gave him a big, big contract, and he let them down big time.
“What is different in his life? Are the same people supposedly responsible for looking out for him still around? Can you trust him is the biggest question.
“Aston Villa are a huge football club that have to be in the Champions League, and for that, you need players you can rely on.”
Souness is right about at least one thing. United are relying on Rashford’s transfer fee to fund their summer transfer business.
If Villa opt against signing the England international permanently, Ruben Amorim will likely push to offload him elsewhere.
United want to sign two attackers this summer, which would require Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Antony to be moved on.
