Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea: Marcus Rashford ‘new hero’ and inspires Villa comeback win

For Manchester United, it was yet another day during which their troubles were exposed. For Marcus Rashford, it was the polar opposite.

Rashford, who joined United at the age of seven and for so long was an instrumental player for the club, found himself frozen out under new manager Ruben Amorim.

So he went on loan to Aston Villa – and, on Saturday, he shone.

The 27-year-old’s determined, energetic display after being brought on as a half-time substitute against Chelsea saw him assist both goals as Villa came from behind to win 2-1.

United, meanwhile, drew 2-2 with Everton to remain 15th in the table.

On Wednesday, Rashford made his first start in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool and on Saturday evening he had an exceptional half off the bench.

According to team-mate Youri Tielemans, he is someone who will “only get better” as he gets back to playing regular minutes.

“[I am] very pleased, especially the way he is performing now and with the two assists today,” Tielemans told Sky Sports.

“Marcus is someone who can threaten everyone one versus one and even one versus two. He is very important for us in the way he plays because he gives us something different on the left-hand side.”

With Marco Asensio scoring both goals, Rashford assisted the same player twice in a Premier League game for the first time since June 2020. “Every time he got the ball he was dangerous,” added Tielemans.

Although he fell out of favour under Amorim, Rashford is beginning to find his feet again under Unai Emery.

He is currently on loan at Villa until the end of the season, having joined in February after not featuring for United since expressing his desire for a “new challenge” in December.

Villa have the option to make Rashford’s deal permanent for £40m.