Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has admitted that he does not see a future for Marcus Rashford at Old Trafford. In the January transfer window, Rashford, 27, was sent on loan to Aston Villa, after being banished from the first-team by Ruben Amorim.
The United academy graduate has since starred under Unai Emery, with his performances even earning a place in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad. It’s understood that Villa will have first refusal on Rashford, but the versatile forward has also been linked with a move to Barcelona.
Giggs, 51, was assistant manager to Louis van Gaal when Rashford was handed his United debut at the age of 18, all the way back in 2016. The United legend watched him score a brace on his full debut in a 5-1 home victory over FC Midtjylland in the Europa League last-32.
Nearly 10 years on from that day, Ryan Giggs appeared on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, presented by Qatar Airways, which goes live at 6am on Friday 25th April. And he admitted he is disappointed with how things have worked out for Rashford.
Given everything that has happened this season, the Welshman does not see Rashford returning to United. While speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, when asked if he sees a way back for Rashford, Giggs quickly replied: “No. I don’t think he looked happy at United.
“I think he looks happier now. I just don’t. Which is a shame because obviously I’d seen him as a part of the staff when we’d given him his debut.”
When Ferdinand challenged Giggs on what he would say to Rashford if he was still in the United dugout, the ex-Red Devils skipper called out the Villa loanee, saying: “First of all, he’s got to work harder.
“I talked about no matter what position on the pitch you are, you sprint back as quick as you sprint forward, and aesthetically, it didn’t look great. Especially if the team ain’t doing well.
“Because fans will forgive you for missing a chance. They won’t forgive you for not working hard enough. They just won’t. Because they can do that. They can sprint. Everyone can.
“But then also, what I talked about, you know that he can play up there. He’s done it everywhere. He’s done it on the biggest stage. It’s hard from looking outside to in. But it looked like he’s not enjoying it.
“And you’ve got to enjoy it. Especially flare players, attacking players. Because that’s your best moments. When your confidence is high, you’re trying things. Don’t always come off. But play instinctively and play like you did when you were younger. Freedom.”
Rashford has contributed four goals and six assists in 17 appearances for Villa, an impressive return, considering he has only started 12 of those matches. He was particularly instrumental in Villa’s narrow Champions League quarter-final second-leg loss to Paris Saint-Germain, contributing an assist and seeing two good efforts be impressively saved by PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
His campaign could still end with silverware, as Villa are in the FA Cup semi-final, where they will face Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, April 26. He will also be relied upon in the final stretch of the Premier League, where Villa are in a five-team race for Champions League qualification.
Mirror.co.uk
