Rashfords Revival?

At the Project, we were quite critical of the furore surrounding Marcus Rashford—we even wrote an article expressing our critique. We took issue with Roc Nation’s approach, which tends to portray athletes as modern left-wing idols, essentially polished ambassadors for campaigns they often have little genuine interest in. That’s not to say Rashford didn’t care about hungry children, but it may not have been at the forefront of his mind. A similar case could be made for Jordan Henderson, who was a spokesperson for Stonewalls Rainbow Laces campaign, only to be later lambasted for making a career decision, rightly or wrongly, to move to a league in a conservative country with different moral views on sexuality.
That being said, we recognise that Rashford is a working-class lad who has made good. Towns like Wythenshawe will have hundreds of working-class kids dreaming of becoming footballers, and having someone like Rashford to look up to is inspiring. Unlike many in football, Rashford hasn’t been handed an easy path—he has worked his way up from a tough background to reach the top. That journey should be respected, even if his career hasn’t quite gone to plan.
Since bursting onto the scene in 2015, Rashford’s trajectory has not lived up to expectations. We’d argue he has fallen victim to the trappings of celebrity, a fate that often befalls young footballers thrust into the spotlight. But more than that, he has suffered from being at a club that, for over a decade, has been in a state of disarray. Manchester United are a shell of their former selves—mismanaged from the top down, lurching from one failed project to the next. Rashford has played under multiple managers, each with different demands, while the club itself has lacked clear direction. A revolving door of signings, egos in the dressing room, and a culture of complacency have all contributed to a decline where mediocrity is now the norm. Players like Rashford—homegrown talents who should be at the heart of a successful United—have instead been let down by a club more interested in commercial deals than building a winning team.

In contrast, Aston Villa is a club on the rise. Just a few years ago, they were languishing in the Championship, struggling to stay afloat. But since returning to the Premier League, they have been transformed under smart ownership and, more recently, the tactical brilliance of Unai Emery. Emery has taken Villa from mid-table obscurity to genuine contenders for Champions League football, instilling a structure and mentality that breeds success. Unlike United, Villa has a clear identity, a manager with a proven track record, and a squad built with purpose.

Rashford’s move presents him with an opportunity—a reset at a club that is well-run and ambitious. The contrast could not be starker: at United, he was part of a bloated squad, burdened by chaos at every level. At Villa, he will be joining a team where every player knows their role, where the focus is on progress rather than papering over cracks. If Rashford wants to regain his best form, this is exactly the kind of environment he needs.

Football has always been a working-class game, but modern football often feels detached from its roots. When a working-class footballer struggles, it’s easy for pundits and fans to pile on, forgetting the pressures that come with fame and expectation. Rashford is still only 26, with plenty left to offer. We truly hope this move reignites the hunger and form that once made him one of England’s brightest talents. If he can get back to his best, it won’t just be a victory for him—it will be a reminder that talent, when nurtured in the right environment, can still shine through in an era where football too often forgets its own.