Bryan Robson agrees that Marcus Rashford’s bright start at Aston Villa is proving that Manchester United were right to hand him a bumper new contract less than two years before his exit. But the Old Trafford icon also hasn’t been shy in handing Rashford a public dressing down, stressing that his January exit shouldn’t have even happened.
The 27-year-old escaped his boyhood club before the winter deadline in an attempt to end a rut he descended into after his career-best 2022/23 campaign. A smile has returned to his face at Villa Park, where he is playing in a team operating at a higher level than United and preparing for a Champions League quarter-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain. However, while Robson is seeing glimpses of the quality player that Rashford can be under Unai Emery, he has taken issue with claims that he is instantly enjoying his football again at a new club.
“Well, I haven’t come out publicly and said anything, but the TV pundits drive me crazy,” Robson told Express Sport with betselect.co.uk.
“I’m talking about ex-players saying that as soon as he went to Villa, he was enjoying his football again.
“Hold on a minute. You are so fortunate to be a football player. If I’m at Man United, I’m enjoying my football, or I should be enjoying my football, and I’m going to work hard to try and make the team successful.
“So when you go to Villa, it’s no different from playing for Man United. You try and enjoy your game and do the best you can. So there’s no excuses.”
Villa have an option to buy Rashford for £40million in the summer transfer window, which they are currently expected to trigger.
If they look elsewhere, it would be a surprise if the England international remained in Ruben Amorim’s ranks rather than leaving permanently elsewhere.
But Robson wants to see Rashford rediscover his “unbelievable” best and enjoy a redemption arc at Old Trafford next season.
He added: “Marcus has unbelievable talent and should be doing better for Manchester United. He shouldn’t even be moving on to Aston Villa. He should be giving his best for Man United.
“[Whether he comes back] is the manager’s and Marcus’s decision. But for me, he’s got the talent, and you’ve got to get the best out of him.
“And Marcus has got to get the best out of himself, and he should be a Man United player next year.”
