Ex-Manchester United striker Saha on why Rashford has 'annoyed' him

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha says Marcus Rashford's good form on loan at Aston Villa "annoyed" him and urged the forward to help lift the Red Devils from their troubles next season.

Rashford enjoyed a resurgence with Unai Emery’s side following his move in January after a turbulent first half of the 2024/25 campaign at Old Trafford which saw him frozen out by manager Ruben Amorim.

United's struggles have continued in his absence, with the Amorim's men losing the Europa League final to Tottenham, leaving the 16th-placed side without any European football next season.

But Saha, who made 124 appearances for United under Sir Alex Ferguson, believes Rashford still has a role to play at his boyhood club – providing he can rediscover his focus and adapt to the manager’s demands.

"I was sad when Marcus Rashford left the club earlier this season, to the point where I never wanted to read his name in the news! If he comes back and stays at the club, I still think he needs to fit to the new strategy.

"When you see the quality that he has, and that he's shown at Aston Villa, regardless of what's going on around you, and your relationship with the club, the manager or the supporters, you still possess that quality, and no one should be able to stop you from showing it off and expressing yourself.

"Nobody should have that power; it's not possible. This is your work; express it, whether you are liked or not, you need to express it.

"You're a great player, and this is the kind of thing that annoyed me a little bit; when he went to Aston Villa and all of a sudden started playing really well!

"He has to commit to his talent, and nothing else. It's not about working systems around yourself; it's about adapting." 

His performances in claret and blue, which saw him score four goals and provide six assists in 17 appearances, has reignited interest from clubs across Europe – with Barcelona now favourites to land the forward permanently this summer.

According to Ladbrokes’ latest odds, Barcelona are 1/1 favourites to complete a deal, with the Spanish giants keen to strengthen their attacking depth.

But Aston Villa remain firmly in the conversation at 5/1, and there’s every chance Emery will push to make the move permanent after Rashford’s decisive contribution in Villa’s Champions League qualification push.

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