Marcus Rashford has joined Aston Villa from Manchester United on loan until the end of the season and has explained why he picked the Villans.

Marcus Rashford is an Aston Villa player until the end of the season at least

Marcus Rashford's loan move to Aston Villa has been confirmed 24 hours before the January transfer window closes - and he says it was an easy decision to move to Villa Park.

The England forward leaves Manchester United to join Villa on loan until the end of the season after completing a medical on Sunday afternoon.

Marcus Rashford's loan move to Aston Villa has been confirmed 24 hours before the January transfer window closes - and he says it was an easy decision to move to Villa Park.

The England forward leaves Manchester United to join Villa on loan until the end of the season after completing a medical on Sunday afternoon.

The Midlands club are expected to pay a guaranteed 75 per cent of the player’s £325,000-a-week wages. That could increase to 90 per cent with performance-related bonuses.

Villa also have an option to sign the versatile forward permanently in the summer for £40million.

Rashford said in a statement on Instagram: "I would like to thank Manchester United and Aston Villa for making this loan deal happen.

"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 manager's ambitions.

"I just want to play football and am excited to get started. I wish everyone at Manchester United all the best for the rest of the season."

Rashford fell out of favour at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim and had not played for the Red Devils since a win over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on December 12.

The 27-year-old was reportedly holding out hope of joining Barcelona but has instead headed to United's Premier League rivals. Villa are eight points ahead of Amorim's team in the English top flight.

Rashford could make his debut for Villa in the FA Cup on Sunday. They host Tottenham in the fourth round at Villa Park (5.35pm kick-off).

The United academy graduate has produced 138 goals and 63 assists in 426 first-team appearances for United since his debut in February 2016.

And while he has 60 caps and 17 goals for England, the last of those appearances came back in March last year.

He has only scored 15 goals in his last 18 months at club level, having scored 30 times under Erik ten Hag in a single season in 2022-23. Rashford has also received some criticism for his body language on the pitch and some of his behaviour off it.

Rashford is desperately hoping to rediscover form as he seeks to re-establish himself as one of the best forwards in the Premier League and put himself in Thomas Tuchel's thoughts for the World Cup next year.

Amorim has moved to dismiss claims it will be "humiliating" for United if Rashford shines on loan at Villa while the Red Devils themselves languish in the bottom half of the table.

The Portuguese coach's team lost 2-0 to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday, and he said after: "Humiliating? It’s not embarrassing.

Marcus Rashford's loan move to Aston Villa has been confirmed 24 hours before the January transfer window closes - and he says it was an easy decision to move to Villa Park.

The England forward leaves Manchester United to join Villa on loan until the end of the season after completing a medical on Sunday afternoon.

The Midlands club are expected to pay a guaranteed 75 per cent of the player’s £325,000-a-week wages. That could increase to 90 per cent with performance-related bonuses.

Villa also have an option to sign the versatile forward permanently in the summer for £40million.

Rashford said in a statement on Instagram: "I would like to thank Manchester United and Aston Villa for making this loan deal happen.

"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 manager's ambitions.

"I just want to play football and am excited to get started. I wish everyone at Manchester United all the best for the rest of the season."

Rashford fell out of favour at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim and had not played for the Red Devils since a win over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on December 12.

The 27-year-old was reportedly holding out hope of joining Barcelona but has instead headed to United's Premier League rivals. Villa are eight points ahead of Amorim's team in the English top flight.

Rashford could make his debut for Villa in the FA Cup on Sunday. They host Tottenham in the fourth round at Villa Park (5.35pm kick-off).

The United academy graduate has produced 138 goals and 63 assists in 426 first-team appearances for United since his debut in February 2016.

And while he has 60 caps and 17 goals for England, the last of those appearances came back in March last year.

He has only scored 15 goals in his last 18 months at club level, having scored 30 times under Erik ten Hag in a single season in 2022-23. Rashford has also received some criticism for his body language on the pitch and some of his behaviour off it.

Rashford is desperately hoping to rediscover form as he seeks to re-establish himself as one of the best forwards in the Premier League and put himself in Thomas Tuchel's thoughts for the World Cup next year.

Amorim has moved to dismiss claims it will be "humiliating" for United if Rashford shines on loan at Villa while the Red Devils themselves languish in the bottom half of the table.

The Portuguese coach's team lost 2-0 to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday, and he said after: "Humiliating? It’s not embarrassing.

"When you loan a player – and I don't think it's official – you expect him to play and to improve, so there is nothing humiliating there.

"I understand the question but I am just focused on my players, that's all. When the window closes, I will be really focused on just our team and to improve our team."

United had been looking at Bayern Munich's Mathys Tel as a deadline day replacement for Rashford but a move has collapsed. They also have interest in Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku.