Manchester United legend Roy Keane has expressed his doubts about Marcus Rashford’s ability to rediscover his hunger at Aston Villa.
Last Sunday, United confirmed that Rashford had sealed a loan move to Villa. The forward’s future was the subject of intense speculation during the winter transfer window after he fell out of favour under Ruben Amorim.
Rashford played in Amorim’s first six matches but was dropped for the Manchester derby in mid-December, after which the 27-year-old revealed he was ready for a new challenge away from Old Trafford.
He did not play for United again, with his last taste of competitive minutes coming in the Europa League trip to Viktoria Plzen on December 12.
Amorim told reporters that he struggled to get through to Rashford, who did not agree with the Portuguese coach’s training and playing methods.
Speaking on ITV, Keane questioned whether Villa is the right place for Rashford to rediscover himself and get back to his sensational best.
Keane said, “If he’s lost the hunger at Man United – how will he get it at Aston Villa?”
“Once you lose the hunger it’s hard to get it back. It’s sad but it’s been on the cards the last year or two, especially since the new manager’s come in. Clearly they didn’t get on.”
“The manager got no reaction from Marcus. The strange thing for me was I thought when Marcus was going to leave Man United he was going to go abroad and try something new.”
Keane added, “A new adventure for him, a different league, a different challenge. To go to Villa surprises me a little bit. I know Aston Villa are going along nicely, but you can’t compare them to Manchester United.”
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright offered a different take, insisting that Villa are achieving more in the Premier League and the Champions League.
Wright remarked, “He’s going to a team that’s performing better. We can’t disrespect Villa, what they’ve done and what they’re trying to do.”
“If Marcus can go there and recapture it they can build around him. He’s a good player. Everybody has been talking about his body language here (at United) and what’s going on.”
“He’s done great for Man United up to this point but maybe it’s time to leave. You hope he can recapture because if he doesn’t, then what?”
🗣️ “If he’s lost the hunger at Man United – how will he get it at Aston Villa?”
🗣️ “He’s going to a team that’s performing better… We can’t disrespect Villa.”
Roy Keane and Ian Wright weigh in on Marcus Rashford’s loan move away from Old Trafford#MUFC | @IanWright0 pic.twitter.com/hFNyHcial0
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 7, 2025
Rashford could make his Villa debut in the FA Cup on Sunday against Tottenham Hotspur.
Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
