Jadon Sancho has sent a brief, but telling message to Marcus Rashford after his Manchester United teammate released a statement to confirm his transfer away from Old Trafford.
Rashford will join fellow Premier League side Aston Villa on a loan deal until the end of the season.
The 27-year-old forward, who last made an appearance for United in December, will have 70 per cent of his £325,000 per-week wage covered by the Villains, according to Fabrizio Romano.
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In fact, a £40 million buy option has been included in the deal, with a potential three-and-a-half-year deal to follow.
Taking to Instagram to confirm the move to Unai Emery's side, Rashford also sent a message to his boyhood club as they continue to struggle in the league with eight wins from a possible 24.
"I would like to thank Manchester United and Aston Villa for making this loan deal happen," he said in the statement.
"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 managers’ ambitions. I just want to play football and am excited to get started.
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"I wish everyone at Manchester United all the best for the rest of the season."
Moments later and United teammate Jadon Sancho – who is also out on loan this season – responded with a message of his own. The winger wrote: "He’s back!"
Sancho was banished from first-team training at United in 2023 after he responded to Erik ten Hag's statement about his below-par performances in training.
He was then ostracised from the first-team squad and was forced to train with the academy before joining Borussia Dortmund on loan in January last year. Now with Chelsea, he has made 19 appearances for the Blues this season.
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On Sunday night, Manchester United also released a statement to confirm Rashford's departure.
Alongside a picture that read 'Good luck Marcus', the club wrote: "Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has joined Aston Villa on loan until the end of the 2024/25 season."
They added: "His loan exit to Aston Villa came on the penultimate day of the men’s January transfer window, hours after United confirmed the signing of 20 year-old Danish defender Patrick Dorgu from Italian Serie A club Lecce.
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"On Saturday, United announced the arrival of 18 year-old defender Ayden Heaven from Arsenal.
"Rashford’s exit follows the departure of Brazilian forward Antony on loan to Spanish La Liga side Real Betis earlier in the window.
"Everyone at Manchester United wishes Marcus good luck for the rest of the season."
Thoughts on Rashford's loan move to Aston Villa? Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Marcus Rashford, Manchester United, Transfers, Premier League, Aston Villa, Jadon Sancho
Jack Kenmare