Wayne Rooney makes bold Marcus Rashford prediction ahead of Man Utd decision

Marcus Rashford has returned to form at Aston Villa since joining on loan in January but Wayne Rooney is not ruling out a return to Manchester United this summer

Wayne Rooney believes Marcus Rashford will want to return to Manchester United this summer because he is keen to leave a legacy at Old Trafford. Rashford, 27, has rediscovered good form at Aston Villa since moving on loan in January having been jettisoned to the periphery of Ruben Amorim’s United squad.

But Rooney, United’s all-time top scorer, reckons Rashford is “100 per cent” in favour of another crack at earning his spot back in the team next season.

Working as a pundit on Amazon Prime’s coverage of Villa’s Champions League quarter-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night, Rooney said: “Marcus Rashford wants to play for Manchester United, 100 per cent.

“He is a Manchester lad, Manchester United fan, and over the last couple of years it has been difficult. He needed to play and it was clear he wouldn’t play for the rest of the season at United. In an ideal world he would like to leave a legacy at United. Whether that is possible I don’t know, but this is what I’d love to see.”

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Rashford has contributed three goals and five assists since joining Villa and could still end the campaign with another FA Cup winner’s medal. He also provided the spark to Villa’s fightback against PSG.

Villa reportedly have an option to buy the England international for £40m this summer but head coach Unai Emery has said no decision has been made yet. “It depends on the circumstances for now and the next weeks.”

Rashford’s contract at United runs until the summer of 2028 but the club is determined to cut its wage bill and he is among their highest earners.

Amorim, meanwhile, publicly questioned Rashford’s work ethic – after January’s win away to Fulham – and it is also unclear whether he would provide Rashford with a fresh chance to impress should he return.

United, who face Lyon in a season-defining Europa League quarter-final on Thursday night, remain stuck in the bottom half of the table – just three points off 17th place. Villa on the other hand are still in the running for Champions League qualification via a top five finish. They now face Newcastle at home in a pivotal clash on Saturday evening.

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