This was coming sooner rather than later after all the developments yesterday but now, it is done.
Romano dropped the 'Here we go' on Rashford to Villa this morning but the deal itself is actually one that I am really happy with.
"Agreement in place on loan deal with over 70% salary covered by Villa.
Buy option clause worth £40m also included in contract with potential three year and half deal to follow.
Medical booked today."
70% of his £300k-a-week salary is £224k. I think that that is fantastic for United. What's also fantastic is the fact that Villa could buy him for £40m which again, is a great deal in my opinion. Saving a lot on his wages could potentially help the club do a deal even in the last days of this window despite it being almost closed.
Three-and-a-half years after this loan is a decent contract as Rashford is just 27 so he has enough time in his career.
While it is a loan until the end of the season with no guarantees that he will stay at Villa beyond 24/25, the fact that they have the option to buy him is the part that makes me happy.
I think this is a good move for all parties. United need to move him on, Villa look like they need forwards and Rashford needs to go for himself.
As I said, he is just 27 so he's entering his prime and does he really want to be sitting on his arse doing nothing at United or does he want to play football?
But what that age also tells you is that he is no young man either.
I think his time in the first team at United has been very up and down. He'd have a great season and follow that up with a shite one displaying that level of inconsistency. It's because we know the ability he possesses that makes him such a frustrating player because I do believe he could've been Mbappe-level quality.
I know that sounds stupid now but when thinking about the attributes of the two, Rashford is fast, skilful, can go down the line and put in a cross, can make things happen and score all types of goals as well as a lot of them, just like Mbappe.
But the Frenchman displayed that consistency and willingness to improve and adapt his game whenever necessary. Rashford never did.
MR10 also has his issues off the field and at the moment, isn't showing the right attitude resulting in this omission from the squad for almost two months. Ruben Amorim has said that it has to be on the player and 'how much he wants it' that will determine whether he will get back in the team or not.
He obviously doesn't want it enough.
I also believe that who Rashford surrounds himself with could be a problem as that maybe affecting him as well. This will also be Rashford's fault because if this is the case, it is up to him to get rid of those people.
This all meant that he never really fulfilled his potential at United. I won't say he was a waste of time but he never hit the heights I think we all wanted him or expected him to. There were of course, great moments and seasons but they were too few.
There is a bit more of an affection towards him because he's from Manchester, supported the club his whole life and came through the academy but he was a bit of a disappointed.
Going to Villa is a great option because I do think that he wanted to stay in the Premier League unless it was moving to somewhere like Barcelona or any other big club in Europe.
On top of actually having the chance to play football again, to play for a good team and a manager and stay in the PL, he will go from 12th to 8th in the table and Europa League to Champions League football.
All positives for him to join Unai Emery.
Getting away from the spotlight at United could also be another good thing for him because his name is constantly on the tongues of reporters with Amorim even looking fed up about questions about him.
Every move he made was in the public eye and everything was scrutinized. He couldn't even go to a basketball game without their being a bit of drama.
Villa won't have as much of the spotlight as MUFC but as he is a big fish in a small pond, he will still be talked about a lot.
The expectations at Villa Park is also not the same as at Old Trafford so that could benefit him as well.
I think he just needed to go somewhere that is stable and has the chance of just focusing on his football. Villa can provide that and let's see whether he can sort of, find himself again on the field.
While he is technically still our player, this really does feel like a long goodbye.
But what are your thoughts on Rashford going to Villa?
Background Image: Marcus Rashford moves to Aston Villa | Creator: Clive Rose | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2023 Getty Images via Man Utd News