Manchester United’s Premier League rivals Aston Villa have emerged as surprise suitors for Marcus Rashford.

The scarcely spotted England international has not made a competitive appearance for United since mid-December. Head coach Ruben Amorim recently admitted that the team “should be so much better with Rashford” but has refused to recall the 27-year-old until he “changes”.

Several clubs from across the continent have registered their interest in United’s number ten, with most gradually stepping away from any negotiation as the economic realities of a deal come into focus.

Aston Villa are the latest suitor, The Athletic report, with head coach Unai Emery said to have “personally requested” Rashford.

Emery is thought to be particularly keen on Rashford and is confident that he can succeed where Erik ten Hag and Amorim failed. Just this week, Villa’s sporting director Monchi hailed his head coach’s ability to rejuvenate lost souls: “If there is a coach in world football who recovers players, it is Unai Emery.”

Rashford is not the only option on Villa’s shortlist, which is said to be as long as four names according to Fabrizio Romano. The Midlands giants are in need of attacking reinforcements following the impending departure of Jhon Duran to Al Nassr, and are one of several teams still monitoring Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel.

While Villa and Emery are keen, there is no guarantee that Rashford will be convinced. The mercurial forward has already turned down Tottenham Hotspur this month and is holding out for a move to Barcelona, per The Guardian.

It remains entirely unclear how the cash-strapped Catalan giants would be able to afford Rashford’s hefty salary – which is thought to be in the region of £365,000 a week – especially after the club’s slew of contract renewals for existing star players.

Barcelona have said to be consigned to defeat in their pursuit of Rashford, with a deal “highly unlikely” to be completed.

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