- Marcus Rashford has enjoyed a turnaround in form since moving to Aston Villa
- The winger had struggled at United before sealing a loan move away in January
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John McGinn has insisted that Marcus Rashford will get ‘team-mates who graft for him’ in an apparent dig at Manchester United.
Rashford, 27, has enjoyed a strong start to life at Aston Villa, having joined on loan – with an option to buy – from United in the January transfer window.
Since making the move to Villa Park, the forward has earned a recall to the England squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers amid his turnaround in form.
Now, Rashford’s new team-mate McGinn has spoken about Rashford’s new lease of life and insisted that, at Villa, the forward has ‘team-mates who graft for him’.
Speaking to The Mirror, he said: ‘Marcus and Marco showed glimpses which have proved they are at the highest level.
‘They have maybe lost their way, for certain reasons, but what they will both get from us is love and support and teammates who will graft for them.’
Marcus Rashford has enjoyed a turnaround in form since making the move to Aston Villa
John McGinn (left) has lifted the lid on the reasons behind Rashford’s return to form
Ruben Amorim opted to part ways with the forward after falling out following his arrival
‘We want them to be happy again. And every day that you see them, they have a smile on their face. That’s when you know footballers are happy and at their best.
‘In that game against Club Brugge, Marcus played his best game in that second half and he was a constant threat.
‘If we can get those two firing, they’re a pair that every club in the country would take.’
Rashford has made nine appearances in all competitions for his new club and while he has yet to score, the forward has made a valuable contribution, including notching four assists.
He has shown signs of a revival under Unai Emery, responding impressively to being left out of Man United’s squad in the final weeks of his time at his boyhood club.
Rashford has been rewarded by being one of the headline inclusions in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad.
He responded with an eight word message on social media to confirmation of his call-up. ‘Never stop believing,’ Rashford wrote. ‘Can’t wait to get started.’
The call-up represents an England lifeline for Rashford, who has not played for his country since last March last year. Rashford had missed out on last summer’s European Championships.
Tuchel, explaining his squad announcement, claimed the time was right for Rashford to return to the Three Lions set-up.
Rashford’s impressive form has seen him earn a recall to the England first-team squad
In December, Rashford told reporters that he was seeking a ‘new challenge’ away from United
‘I felt Marcus had a huge impact at Aston Villa,’ Tuchel said. ‘He’s made a huge impact mainly from the bench and the impact was impressive.
‘The physical impact was impressive and most importantly, the impact against the ball – his work rate, his defensive impact, his hard work in counter-pressing, his tracking back in his position was impressive.
‘I had the strong feeling that we should nominate him, bring him in to push him to stay on that level and not fall back in old routines.
‘This camp is to bond with him and push him to stay on that level.’
