Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn dismantles Ruben Amorim's claims about Marcus Rashford at Man Utd

John McGinn has opened up on Marcus Rashford's start to life at Aston Villa – and it makes for an interesting read after Ruben Amorim criticised the forward for a perceived lack of effort.

Rashford joined Villa from boyhood club Manchester United in February in a six-month loan deal that includes a £40 million buy option.

The 27-year-old forward, who last made an appearance for United in December, was omitted from their squad for the Manchester derby in December and featured in just one more matchday squad before leaving.

Back in January – after being asked about Rashford's omission from his squad to face Fulham – Amorim stated that he would rather select Jorge Vital, his goalkeeping coach, than a player who "doesn't give their maximum every day".

"It’s always the same reason. The reason is the training, the way I see what a footballer should do in training, in life," he told reporters. "It’s every day, every detail. If things don’t change, I will not change."

Asked if Rashford would still be a United player once the transfer window closes, Amorim added he would rather pick his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach than the forward.

"It’s the same situation for every player. If you do the maximum, if you do the right things, we can use every player," he added. "I will put Vital before I put a player that doesn't give the maximum every day, so I will not change in that."

Amorim went on to suggest that Rashford was unable to adapt to the way he wanted to play and train.

“I couldn’t put Marcus to see the way you’re supposed to play football and to train the way I see it,” he said. “And sometimes you have one player that is really good with one coach, and the same player with another coach is different.

“I just wish the best to Rashford and to Unai Emery, and they can connect because he’s a very good player.”

Rashford has made an impressive start to life at Aston Villa. Image credit: Getty

After leaving his boyhood club, Rashford is said to have made a positive impression in his first week at Aston Villa, with Unai Emery praising the forward for his "fantastic" performance in training.

And after notching three assists in his opening six games for the Villains, teammate John McGinn has praised the forward for working hard and being "low maintenance" in the early stages of his Villa career.

"They've been a breath of fresh air, three really good guys, obviously come with big reputations but they haven't shown any ego," McGinn told TNT Sports.

"They're pretty low maintenance, they work hard to get their careers back on track.

"They obviously weren't playing at their clubs, so what we can give them is a platform to do that and be happy, and all we want in return is for them to be a good team-mate, work hard, do the things we've all been doing over the last couple of seasons and show their quality. They've been brilliant."

Asked about Rashford and Marco Asensio in a press conference ahead of their Champions League clash against Club Brugge, McGinn said: "There's no big egos, well we've not seen that yet if there is. Obviously they come with a huge reputation but they've fitted in nicely."

John McGinn has praised Rashford for his application. Image credit: Getty

Earlier this month, Villa youngster Cole Brannigan gave an insight into what it was like to train alongside Rashford.

Speaking in an interview with Northern Irish outlet News Letter, Brannigan said: "He's by far the best player I've seen technically. With the ball, he was absolutely ridiculous. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

"We have a family group chat, and I just put in, 'Marcus Rashford is absolutely ridiculous'. Having Marcus Rashford at the club, he's someone for me to look up to. The club do a good job in asking those players questions, so you try and use that to improve your own game."