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The Blues boss is under growing pressure from unhappy fans.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has revealed he is “very happy” with Marcus Rashford’s progress at Villa Park since joining from Manchester United on loan in January, but refused to confirm whether the club would look to sign the forward permanently this summer.

Rashford, 27, swapped Manchester for Birmingham at the end of the winter window to join Villa after a dispute with Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim over attitude and application in training.

The Midlands club agreed to cover 75% of Rashford’s wage packet at Old Trafford, which could rise to 90% with performance-related bonuses. A £40 million buy-clause was also included in the loan deal.

Rashford’s form has dramatically improved since arriving at Villa Park, though it could hardly have got worse such were his dismal performances in a Red shirt for the previous 18 months. The 27-year-old has reclaimed a place in the England squad, with Thomas Tuchel starting him on the left-wing in the Three Lions’ World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia last month.

Rashford appears to have even beaten out fellow English forward Ollie Watkins for the starting striker role at Villa with Emery selecting the United academy graduate up front in the last three games – including last night’s thrilling Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris-Saint Germain.

Rashford started the first leg in Paris but produced an abject display as the Villains were thoroughly outplayed by the Ligue 1 champions, falling to a 3-1 defeat.

However, Emery maintained his faith in Rashford for the crucial return leg at Villa Park as the 27-year-old started in place of Watkins, despite the two-goal deficit. And the Spanish manager’s decision was soundly justified by his loanee, with Rashford producing an electric display – as is often the case against PSG – to come within inches of helping Villa to an unlikely comeback.

The English forward created more chances and completed more dribbles than any other player on the pitch, and came agonisingly close to scoring a brilliant goal, if not for an even more brilliant save by PSG goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, who single-handedly kept his side in the match at times.

A superb assist for Youri Tielemans from Rashford was then follow by a wicked free-kick from the England international, which saw centre-back Ezri Konsa miss a guilt-edged chance to draw Villa level.

Emery chose to withdraw Rashford in the 76n minute for Watkins, much to the relief of the PSG defence and the disbelief of the Villa Park crowd. But the Villains were ultimately unable to find another goal to take the pulsating context to extra-time, drawing question marks on this decision by the Spanish manager.

In his post-match interview, Emery revealed how “happy” the club were with Rashford’s performance and his progress since arriving in January, but declined to confirm Villa would activate the £40 million buy-clause in the loan deal from United.

“It is difficult to plan it now. It depends on the circumstances and what happens in the next weeks. [Rashford’s] feeling comfortable and feeling better. He played a fantastic match vs PSG. We are very happy,” the 53-year-old stated.

Emery has constantly praised Rashford since the switch with the Spaniard believed to have played an integral part in convincing the 27-year-old to join the Birmingham side. It feels as if the decision was left solely to him, Rashford would be wearing claret and blue next season.

However, Villa executives will be aware that there is unlikely to be a significant number of clubs looking to sign Rashford permanently this summer, given United’s price demand and the 27-year-old’s exorbitant wage packet at Old Trafford.

Teams such as AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund expressed an interest in a loan deal for Rashford in January but were unsuccessful in their pursuit due to this salary issue – which will remain an obstacle in the summer.

Similarly, Barcelona were also linked with a switch, and could feasibly match the wage demands, but the Catalonia club is facing acute financial pressure and a move for an expensive left-winger is unlikely to be high on their agenda, given the imperious form of Raphinha.

As such, Villa may be content to let Rashford’s loan deal expire without activating the £40 million buy-clause, in order to allow the forward to return to Manchester and then negotiate a cheaper price.

And it’s perhaps this transfer tactic which leads Emery to state a permanent move for Rashford will depend on “circumstances” given there is already an option to seal the deal, irrespective of circumstances.

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The Reds defender is in discussions to leave his boyhood club this summer.

Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has insisted Ruben Amorim is not satisfied with the current players at his disposal.

Amorim has struggled since he was appointed as Erik ten Hag’s replacement in November last year. The squad has found it difficult to adjust to his preferred 3-4-3 system but the Portuguese coach has confirmed on multiple occasions that he is not willing to ditch his principles.

United fell to a 14th defeat of the season on Sunday, as Newcastle beat them 4-1 at St James’ Park. The result left the Red Devils languishing in 14th place.

The 20-time English champions are heading towards what is guaranteed to be their worst-ever Premier League campaign — and that doesn’t even capture the full extent of their struggles this season. The Peoples Person highlighted a string of shocking stats that paint a grim picture of just how bad things have gotten for United.

A busy summer transfer window awaits as the hierarchy, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, work to shape the squad in Amorim’s image.

Speaking at an event staged by his travel company, Cantona declared his support for Amorim, warning against delivering judgment before he has had the opportunity to bring in players he wants.

Cantona said [as quoted by Manchester Evening News], “We have to wait. He did great things at Lisbon and came in during the middle of the season, so he didn’t choose a player, I know he’s unhappy about the players.”

“So we have to wait until this summer. It will be more fair to judge him next season because he has to work with the players he didn’t choose.”

Reflecting om his playing days at Old Trafford, Cantona named his FA Cup final goal against Liverpool as his favourite.

“The goal I scored in the FA Cup final against Liverpool because we won the double, with a new generation of players. A golden generation of players and it was their first season. This is the identity of United for me, rich enough to buy the best players in the world, but also they work hard in the time of Sir Alex Ferguson and young players.”

“So for me it was something that I achieved for the project of Ferguson.”

United are back in action on Thursday when they host Lyon for the return leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie.

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Manchester United have reportedly joined the race to sign Vanja Milinkovic-Savic from Torino.

Milinkovic-Savic spent more than a year on United’s academy books but the Red Devils had to release the player in 2015 after he failed to obtain a work permit.

After departing Carrington, the Serbian talent joined Polish club Lechia Gdansk to continue his development before securing a big move to Torino in 2017.

Fast forward to present day, the 28-year-old has established himself as Torino’s number one and has arguably been the best goalkeeper in Serie A this term. He has kept nine clean sheets in 31 appearances in Italy’s top flight.

In recent weeks, Manchester City and Chelsea have been linked with a move for Milinkovic-Savic, and now it is being suggested that United are also keeping an eye on their former academy player.

According to La Stampa (via Sport Witness), United are interested in bringing the Torino star back to Old Trafford.

It is suggested that a return to United will be a “turning point” in his career.

Milinkovic-Savic’s contract in Turin reportedly includes a release clause worth €20m. However, it is believed that United value the Serbian at €12m.

Torino want the fee to be as much as his release clause. The 6ft 8in goalkeeper’s current contract is valid until the summer of 2026, but the Serie A outfit have the option to extend it for a further year.

Recently, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming United are looking to sign two goalkeepers, with both Andre Onana and Altay Bayındır delivering unreliable performances.

As such, if United could sign a solid shot-stopper like Milinkovic-Savic for less than €20m he would be seen as a very good coup. 

The Mancunians have also been linked with the likes of Aaron Ramsdale and Mike Maignan ahead of the summer transfer window.

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The England captain is lethal from 12 yards.

Harry Maguire says he still enjoys playing with Andre Onana and is looking forward to teaming up with the keeper again on Thursday, as Manchester United get set to host Lyon at Old Trafford.

United will take on Lyon in the return leg of their quarter-final tie. The aggregate score currently stands at 2-2 from the first game and the stakes could not be higher.

The Red Devils have endured a wretched season but there is still a chance to salvage some lost pride by winning the Europa League and in the process, qualify for the Champions League.

Maguire accompanied Ruben Amorim to the pre-match press conference and looked ahead to the contest with Lyon. The England international backed Onana, who has endured a difficult few days following his error-prone display at the Groupama Stadium last week.

Onana was at fault for both goals United conceded and was subsequently dropped from Sunday’s 4-1 defeat at Newcastle. However, Amorim told reporters that the Cameroonian will start in the second leg.

Maguire said about this, “I think first and foremost, Andre has proved in the past that he is an excellent goalkeeper. He has won numerous trophies. But you always have spells in your career where you have ups and downs.”

“At the moment, he is probably feeling that everything is going against him. Playing in front of Andre is great; I have confidence in Andre. We all know he is an excellent goalkeeper.”

The defender continued, “Try your best to ignore it all [the spotlight], focus on your job, come in on a daily basis and do your best. That is all you can do. Tomorrow night is another game of football and you have to say to yourself, ‘Do your best and that’s all you can do. ‘ I have been in that situation myself.”

“All you can do, day in, day out, is do your best and work as hard as possible.”

Maguire emphasised the importance of winning the Europa League as he admitted that performances have picked up a bit too late in the season.

“Obviously it has been a disappointing season, there is no doubt about it. From the start of the season, we have been far too inconsistent. I think performances have picked up late. A lot of games have been 50-50 and we have ended up on the bad end of the result. Tomorrow night is a big game for us and it is one I am looking forward to it.”

“Winning a trophy would be massive and it gives us access to the Champions League for next season. This is the only competition that we are left in and tomorrow night, we are looking forward to it.”

United vs. Lyon kicks off at 20:00 BST.

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The Red Devils goalkeeper has come under fire in recent weeks.

Harry Maguire will hope to help Manchester United past Lyon tomorrow night and into the semi-finals of the Europa League

Manchester United’s record goalscorer Wayne Rooney has claimed that Marcus Rashford is still keen on lining up for his boyhood club despite enjoying a renaissance at Aston Villa.

Rashford fell out of favour under Ruben Amorim and was left out of several matchday squads, prompting the club to sanction his loan move to Villa. He has looked like a player reborn at the Birmingham outfit, registering an impressive return of six assists and three goals in 15 games.

The England international produced a top performance on Tuesday as Villa threatened to pull off a stunning comeback against Paris Saint-Germain.

He played more than an hour, delivering an exquisite assist for Ezri Konsa but the hosts just couldn’t quite get over the finish line.

Speaking on Amazon Prime after the game, Rashford’s former United teammate Rooney said that he hopes the 27-year-old will return to Old Trafford once his loan spell with Villa ends. Rooney added that Rashford still wants to play for the Red Devils.

Rooney explained [as quoted by the Daily Mail], “Marcus Rashford wants to play for Manchester United, 100 per cent. He is a Manchester lad, Man 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.”

“He has clearly shown, sometimes you have to keep banging on the manager’s door, put them in a position where they can’t leave you out 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.”

Rooney added [via Express], “We have to give a massive shoutout to Marcus Rashford, I thought he was fantastic, [it was like] the Rashford we’ve seen over the years. Massive skill, ability, you see here [during a replay of the goal], getting at players, driving at them, pulling the ball back.”

“The big thing [for Villa] now is keeping hold of them players, Marco Asensio, Rashford, but I hope they don’t [keep hold of them].”

“I hope Rashford goes back to United and performs like he did tonight, that’s what we all want to see as Man United fans. They [Villa] would have to finish in the Champions League, it would be a waste.”

Villa have the option of making Rashford’s signing a permanent one for £40m.

Meanwhile, United return to action on Thursday as they welcome Lyon for the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie. The aggregate score is level at 2-2 following the first leg.

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