An ex-Manchester United star has raised concerns over Marcus Rashford‘s behaviour after dismissing reports of a potential swap deal involving Ollie Watkins. Watkins has been in fine form for Aston Villa this season, scoring 16 goals and providing 13 assists in all competitions.
Rashford joined Villa on loan in the January transfer window and has shown signs of his old self under Unai Emery. The Daily Star has indicated that United are keen to offload the 27-year-old during the summer after he was frozen out at Old Trafford by Ruben Amorim.
The Midlands side hold a £40million option to buy Rashford permanently and reports claim that United intend to take advantage of the situation. Club chiefs are understood to be considering offering the forward plus a significant cash payment in exchange for Watkins.
However, former Red Devils goalkeeper Ben Foster has rubbished the suggestion that Emery would approve such a deal after questioning Rashford’s body language in the first leg of Villa’s recent Champions League tie against PSG. The ex-England and Wrexham shot-stopper described him as being “miles off” the pace in Paris, despite a scintillating second half display in the return leg at Villa Park which nearly saw his loan team force extra time.
Speaking on his ‘Fozcast‘ podcast, Foster said: “I think a lot of people saw him against PSG the other night and were like, ‘Oh my god, that’s Rashford.’ That’s what you want from him and there were glimpses, I totally agree. During the first leg though, he was miles off it and he didn’t really look happy again.
“I just think it’s too risky for Aston Villa and I don’t think Unai Emery would sanction it. He’s on so much wages wise at Man United, I think they are going to try and sell him because they need him for PSR [profitability and sustainability rules]. I don’t think Amorim really wants him around the place and he doesn’t suit the system.”
Emery has taken a shine to Rashford during his time on loan and has selected him ahead of Watkins on several occasions in recent weeks. In fact, the striker had only started one of Villa’s last six games before they hosted Newcastle on Saturday.
Watkins scored within minutes after returning to the fold as Villa beat the Magpies 4-1. The 29-year-old admitted after the game that he was frustrated to have been overlooked in recent weeks – and didn’t shy away from telling his manager how he felt.
“I let [Emery] know that. He’s the manager at the end of the day. I respect his decision. But I’m not one of the players happy to sit on the bench,” he said.
Watkins was previously targeted by Arsenal in the January transfer window, but a move away from Villa was ultimately blocked. Foster agreed that the player was within his rights to be angry after criticising Emery’s treatment of him.
“I don’t like the way Watkins has been dealt with,” he said. “I understand why he’d be fuming, because he had a potential move to Arsenal where Villa said, ‘No, we love you so much. We want you around and we’re going to reject this bid’.
“Then they go and bring Marcus Rashford in, and for the biggest game in the club’s modern history, they put him on the bench. It would leave a really s*** taste in your mouth.”
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