Marcus Rashford is facing an unwanted return to Manchester United after rejecting the opportunity to sign him permanently from Aston Villa. United striker Rashford spent the second half of last season on loan at Villa, where he scored four goals before injury brought his campaign to a premature end. Villa had the option to buy the 27-year-old England star for £40m at the end of his loan deal, but have chosen not to exercise that option.
Marcus Rashford is one of five players to be released by Villa, leaving him with the prospect of a return to United and a reunion with manager Ruben Amorim, with whom he had a falling out last season. Amorim left Rashford out of the squad for the game against Manchester City last December and there was no way back for the striker, who was subsequently sent out on loan.
But with Villa opting not to sign Marcus Rashford and no other club making a bid close to United's £40m valuation, he is expected to return to his boyhood club. United will return for pre-season training on Monday, although it will be a phased return for the squad, meaning Rashford may not start until the end of next week.
In addition to Rashford, Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi spent the second half of last season on loan at Villa and are returning to their clubs, PSG and Chelsea, respectively. Villa also confirmed that goalkeeper Robin Olsen and defender Kourtney Hause have left as free agents, after their contracts expired.
