Marcus Rashford has left Man Utd for Aston Villa. (Image: Getty)
Marcus Rashford’s long Manchester United career stumbled to an underwhelming end on Sunday night when Aston Villa confirmed his arrival on loan. The 27-year-old could remain at Villa Park permanently beyond the summer, with a £40million buy option included in his contract.
Rashford spent his final two months at his boyhood club watching from the wings across a 13-match run of absences since facing Viktoria Plzen on December 12.
However, the United. 10 showed his true colours behind the scenes while he was essentially waiting for a move away before the winter transfer deadline.
Following the confirmation of Rashford’s Villa switch, several of his past and present team-mates sent him their well wishes on social media.
Alejandro Garnacho, Luke Shaw, Jadon Sancho, and Scott McTominay were among the players who sent the England international love after his Old Trafford exit.
Another was highly-rated United academy starlet Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel, more commonly known as JJ Gabriel.
The 14-year-old is making serious waves within the club’s youth ranks and was handed his Under-17s debut in a 2-1 win against United last week.
It appears like Rashford had offered the exciting teenager support at Carrington based on the message he received after leaving Manchester.
JJ Gabriel thanked Marcus Rashford for his help. (Image: INSTAGRAM)
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“All the best. Thanks for taking pens with me the other day,” Gabriel wrote in Rashford’s comments section.
The teenage talent, nicknamed ‘Kid Messi’, has been training with United’s Under-18s since last year, having been an Under-16s regular at the age of 13.
Last summer, Gabriel scored two goals and assisted another two at a pre-season tournament in Hong Kong, earning the Most Valuable Player award.
Reports claim the promising maestro has blown United coaches away, as well as sponsors, having already signed a deal with sportswear giant Nike.
Rashford’s inconsistent performances and off-field exploits have left his relationship with supporters strained. However, whether United runs through his veins has never been in doubt.
The academy success, who has been directly involved in 201 goals for the senior team, left the door open to a potential return with his parting statement.
“I would like to thank and Aston Villa for making this loan deal happen,” Rashford wrote on .
“I was lucky to have a few clubs approach me, but Aston Villa was an easy decision – I really admire the way that Aston Villa have been playing this season and the managers’ ambitions.
“I just want to play football and am excited to get started. I wish everyone at all the best for the rest of the season.”