Marcus Rashford tipped to cause dressing room issue at Aston Villa due to one reason

Marcus Rashford's move to Aston Villa proved to be one of the biggest talking points of the January transfer window.

The forward has suffered a difficult time at Manchester United in recent months after being frozen out by Ruben Amorim. The 27-year-old completed a switch to Villa Park on loan for the rest of the season in the final days of the window, while Villa also have the option to make the move permanent for £40m come the summer.

It could prove a masterstroke for Villa manager Unai Emery if Rashford can rediscover his form, but it's also a deal which is fraught with risk. The Midlands club are reportedly set to cover a significant portion of Rashford’s wages during the six-month period.

It follows claims they will pay a minimum of 75 per cent of his £315,000-a-week wages, potentially rising up to as much as 90 per cent. Former United and Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster has now voiced fears that the hefty salary could cause resentment in the Villa dressing room if Rashford doesn't pull his weight, despite expressing hopes he will thrive with them.

Rashford was previously criticised for his attitude in training by Amorim and Foster is concerned his alleged unwillingness to put in the hard yards could resurface again. "I think he has lost the love, the hunger and the willingness to do that at Manchester United," Foster said on his Fozcast podcast. "The pressure at that football club is like no other football club in the whole entire world.

"There will still be a lot of focus on him playing for Aston Villa but if he can get off to a good start and show on the pitch that he's happy and he's running around giving it everything he's got… that's what we want to see from Marcus Rashford."

He added: "He can do it and I think that's the bit that everybody's been so frustrated with is that he's got it in him, but he's just choosing not to do it. He won't have a choice with Unai Emery, because if he doesn't start doing it from the get go, he will not last whatsoever.

"It's good for Villa but it’s also a bit of a risk because the wages could unsettle the rest of the players, if he comes into that squad and he's not putting in the effort in training."

Image: Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images) Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)

Rashford has struggled for form at United since the 2022/23 season, when he scored 30 goals in 56 games. The United academy graduate has managed just 15 in 67 appearances since then.

Amorim raised eyebrows last month when he said he would rather put 63-year-old goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital on the bench over Rashford. Foster warned that the forward's claimed attitude problem will not wash with Emery at Villa and will need to change if he wants to return to his former glory.

He said: "It's a massive opportunity for Rashford to rediscover his career, to kick start it, to get going again, to start scoring some goals and playing football with a smile on his face. I think that's what everybody wants to see, but it’s going to take some doing from him as well.

"It's going to be interesting to see whether he fits into that Aston Villa team the way that Emery likes to set his team up."

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Click here to read article