Aston Villa closing in on Rashford loan deal

Aston Villa are closing in on a loan deal for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford before Monday's transfer deadline.

Sources have told BBC Sport talks are at an advanced stage, but there is work to be done to finalise the move.

The prospect of working with Villa boss Unai Emery is understood to be an attractive one for the 27-year-old.

Rashford has not featured for United since being dropped by head coach Ruben Amorim for the Manchester derby on 12 December.

Last week Amorim suggested he would rather give a place on the bench to his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach because of a perceived lack of effort by the striker.

On Wednesday the United boss said he felt his side would be better with Rashford in it, but the player had not met the standards he demands of his squad.

"Imagine a talent like Rashford, our team should be so much better with him - but he has to change," explained Amorim.

"If he changes, we are more than welcome [to include him] - and we need it. But in this moment we have to set some standards. We are waiting for Rashford, if he wants it really bad."

Rashford has been with United since the age of seven, made more than 400 appearances, won the Europa League, two FA Cups and two EFL Cups.

He has scored 138 goals for United including a season-high of 30 in the 2022-23 season.

He scored in Amorim's first game in charge, a 1-1 away draw at Ipswich on 24 November, before netting twice in a 4-0 win over Everton a week later.

But the forward was left out of the squad for United's 2-1 victory at Manchester City on 15 December and subsequently told journalist Henry Winter he was "ready for a new challenge".

Villa have signed Spanish full-back Andres Garcia from Levante and Netherlands forward Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund so far in this window.

On Friday, they sold Colombia striker Jhon Duran to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in a deal that could be worth up to £71m.

They have also rejected an approach from Arsenal for their England striker Ollie Watkins.

The Midlands side are currently eighth in the Premier League and finished in the top eight of the new Champions League group stage to qualify for the last 16.

'If anyone can unlock Rashford's abilities Emery can'

He has not said it publicly, but Ruben Amorim did not want this version of Marcus Rashford around. Rashford has known it, hence his "new challenge" comments last month.

But if he accepts a challenge so close to home, the outcome will be fascinating.

If Rashford starts scoring at Villa under Unai Emery - and United continue to struggle in that department - questions will be asked of the head coach at Old Trafford.

Rashford has huge talent, while Emery is a vastly experienced coach. If anyone can unlock the forward's abilities he can.

With a top-five place and a Champions League campaign ahead of them, Villa have more going for them than United right now.

There will be some people shuffling uncomfortably at Old Trafford if Rashford helps Villa achieve their objectives.

'Move would be something new and fresh'

Former Manchester United and Aston Villa striker Dion Dublin says the deal would be a "great move" for Rashford.

He told Football Focus: "It is such a stable club with a very, very good manager. There would be some world-class players around him and he would be going into a very happy camp.

"Marcus needs a big hug and for someone to tell him, 'Listen, you're an excellent player'. I think Unai Emery could be the coach to get the best out of him. Let's see what happens."

Former Arsenal forward Ellen White added: "A move to Aston Villa would be something new and fresh for Marcus Rashford. We know he can be a great goalscorer and he is a great player. He just needs something different, a new environment."

Timeline: How things went wrong for Rashford under Amorim

• 24 November: Marcus Rashford scores the first goal for Manchester United under Ruben Amorim, in a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town

• 1 December: Scores twice in a 4-0 win over Everton

• 12 December: Is substituted after 56 minutes of the Europa League tie with Viktoria Plzen. United are losing 1-0 and his replacement Rasmus Hojlund scores twice in a 2-1 win

• 15 December: Left out of United's squad for 2-1 win over Manchester City

• 17 December: In an interview with Henry Winter, Rashford says he "needs a new challenge"

• 20 January: Sources close to Rashford say he has not given up hope of playing for United again

• 26 January: When asked about Rashford, Amorim says he would rather put his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach on the bench instead of "a player who doesn't give the maximum every day"