Man Utd ready to offer Marcus Rashford in deal to sign ‘fuming’ Premier League star

Manchester United are lining up a proposed player-plus-cash transfer deal involving Marcus Rashford and Ollie Watkins in the summer.

Rashford has rediscovered his form and has been playing with a smile on his face once again having completed a loan switch from United to Aston Villa in the January transfer window.

The 27-year-old endured a nightmarish 18-month spell with United before the winter move, but has forced his way into Unai Emery’s starting XI with his eye-catching performances in recent weeks.

United legend Wayne Rooney encouraged Rashford to continue his ‘legacy’ at Old Trafford following the attacker’s eye-catching performance in Villa’s Champions League quarter-final defeat to PSG.

But the England forward is reluctant to return to his boyhood club given Ruben Amorim’s repeated swipes over his attitude and has reportedly told close friends that he wants to continue his stay at Villa Park beyond the end of the season.

According to The Daily Star, United are ready to lose Rashford on a permanent basis and could use the two-time FA Cup winner to lure Watkins to the Theatre of Dreams.

The report claims United’s hierarchy are confident that offering Rashford to Villa – along with a ‘significant’ fee – will boost their chances of landing Watkins when the summer transfer window opens for business.

Arsenal have also been credited with a strong interest in Watkins and missed out on an agreement for Villa striker after lodging a bid in the region of £60million in January – which was rejected out of hand by their Premier League rivals.

Watkins has been overtaken by Rashford in the pecking order at Villa and speaking after the side’s thumping 4-1 win over Newcastle, the England centre-forward admitted he was ‘fuming’ with Emery.

‘I played 20 minutes against PSG in both games. I am not going to lie, I was fuming that I wasn’t playing – I let him [Emery] know that,’ Watkins told Sky Sports.

‘He’s the manager, you have to respect his decision, but I am not one of these players happy to sit on the bench.

‘It is something I have not experienced before, to miss out on the biggest stage. I wanted to be out on the pitch for much longer.

‘I have played a big part to get to where we are today and I want to play in those games.’

Asked for his reaction to Watkins’ remarks, Emery replied: ‘It’s fantastic to be angry and fantastic for him to play like he did [against Newcastle].’

Quizzed on Rashford’s future, Emery added: ‘It is difficult to plan it now.

‘We are very happy. If he is happy, we are happy. It depends on the circumstances for now and the next weeks.’

Watkins is tied into a contract at Villa Park until June 2028 – the same summer that Rashford’s deal with United comes to an end.

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