Marcus Rashford has not given up on his dream of playing in Spain, despite sealing a dramatic deadline-day loan move from Manchester United to Aston Villa.

The England international found himself frozen out at Old Trafford after a fall-out with new manager Rúben Amorim, forcing him to seek regular football elsewhere. Villa swooped in to offer him a fresh start, with an option to make the deal permanent for £40 million at the end of the season.

Rashford expressed his excitement about playing again but was clear that his long-term ambitions lay elsewhere.

“Obviously, it’s only short-term that I’m here, but I want to make the most of my time here,” he said. “And the only way to do that is by using my attributes and skill sets to help the team.”

The 26-year-old forward has long been linked with a move to Spain, with Real Madrid and Barcelona both reportedly monitoring his situation. His time at United had become increasingly uncertain after an inconsistent 2023-24 season, and his fallout with Amorim only accelerated his departure.

Despite his insistence that he remains focused on Villa for now, Rashford’s future beyond this loan spell remains uncertain. If he rediscovers his best form, he could either earn a fresh start in Spain or force his way back into United’s plans. Either way, his next few months in the Midlands could shape the rest of his career.