
Marcus Rashford returns to Man Utd after Aston Villa decline option to buy
The 27-year-old scored four goals in 17 appearances during his time at Villa Park but the club have decided not to activate the £40million option to buy him, meaning he will now go back to Old Trafford.
Rashford will depart the club alongside Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi, who also joined Unai Emery's side on loan in February and helped them to the quarter-finals of the Champions League as well as an FA Cup semi-final while qualifying for the Europa League next season.
Rashford fell out of favour in Manchester under Ruben Amorim but it remains to be seen where his future lies, with the forward reportedly keen on a move to Barcelona.
Asensio scored vital goals both domestically and in Europe, including three in the two legs of the Champions League win over Club Brugge, but Villa also confirmed he will go back to Paris St Germain. Disasi made 10 appearances after his temporary move from Chelsea.
Goalkeeper Robin Olsen and Kortney Hause will also leave the club following the expiry of their respective contracts.
Aston Villa would like to thank Robin Olsen and Kortney Hause following the expiration of their contracts, as well as our loan players as they return to their respective parent clubs.
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) June 30, 2025
A statement on Villa's website read: 'Aston Villa would like to thank Robin Olsen and Kortney Hause following the expiration of their contracts, as well as our loan players as they return to their respective parent clubs.
'Marco Asensio, Marcus Rashford and Axel Disasi each joined Villa in February on loan deals until the end of the 2024-25 season.
'Everyone at Aston Villa would like to thank each of the players for their efforts and amazing commitment to the club and wish them all the very best for the future.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
34 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Man City 3 Al-Hilal 4: City dumped out of club World Cup in huge shock after dramatic late defeat to Saudi side
Scroll down to see match stats and highlights MAN DOWN Man City 3 Al-Hilal 4: City dumped out of club World Cup in huge shock after dramatic late defeat to Saudi side MARCOS LEONARDO struck twice as Manchester City were sensationally dumped out of the Club World Cup by Al-Hilal. Pep Guardiola's men looked to be coasting to the quarter-finals as they dominated the first half and took an early lead through Bernardo Silva. Advertisement 9 Man City have been dumped out of the Club World Cup Credit: Alamy 9 Marcos Leonardo netted a brace for Al-Hilal in the last 16 tie Credit: Alamy 9 Bernardo Silva opened the scoring Credit: Getty 9 Chelsea flop Kalidou Koulibaly found the net in extra-time Credit: Reuters Yet Simone Inzaghi's side hit back to take the lead within seven minutes of the restart. And despite equalisers from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden - his 100th goal for his boyhood club - Leonardo struck in the 113th minute to put the holders out. Al-Hilal – who qualified for this tournament by winning their version of the Champions League in 2021 – held Real Madrid to a draw in their opening game. They have paid Inzaghi a basic salary of around £25 million per year to leave Inter within weeks of leading them to the Champions League and move to the Middle East. Advertisement READ MORE ON SPORT STRIPPIER Blonde who partied with Trippier before he announced wife split is OnlyFans model WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN Yet in the opening exchanges, they looked to be no match for City – who would have been out of sight but for the excellence of goalkeeper Bono. For the fourth time in four games in this tournament, City were ahead inside the first 10 minutes – but this one came in controversial circumstances. Rayan Ait Nouri appeared to handle before getting over a cross that was cleared straight into the shoulder of the on-rushing Ilkay Gundogan. Advertisement Bernardo stabbed home the loose ball and the goal stood despite the furious protests of the Al-Hilal players. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS City had got lucky with that one but looked to put the game to bed and Al-Hilal were grateful to Bono for smart saves from Savinho and Gundogan. The Morocco international – who was outstanding in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – also tipped over a Josko Gvardiol header. Advertisement Pep Guardiola joined by daughter Valentina on Man City bench at Club World Cup clash Savinho chipped in a cross that was volleyed straight at Bono by Doku as another chance went begging. Al-Hilal conceded just one goal in their three group matches – yet they had been completely run ragged by City in the first half. However, within a minute of he re-start, Inzaghi's side were level as Ederson pushed out former City defender Joao Cancelo's cross. When Malcom's shot was blocked it bounced up kindly for Marcos Leonardo who nodded in from close range. Advertisement And six minutes later, the Saudi side were ahead as City committed too many men forward for a corner and were caught out. 9 9 Erling Haaland fired some from close range Credit: AFP 9 Phil Foden reached a landmark 100th goal for Man City Credit: AFP Advertisement 9 Malcom has put Al-Hilal ahead before Haaland's goal Credit: AFP Cancelo's pass sent Malcom racing clear and he showed great composure to beat his fellow Brazilian Ederson. A big shock suddenly looked on the cards and Pep Guardiola sent on three subs – including Ballon D'Or winner Rodri. And one of the replacements, Manuel Akanji had a hand in the equaliser – challenging for a Silva corner which fell nicely for Erling Haaland, who finished emphatically. Advertisement An incredible start to the second half continued as Dias sent Malcolm tumbling in the box – and the ref pointed to the spot – only for the linesman's flag to come to City's rescue. Both sides had chances to win it with Doku nodding over from close range and Mohamed Kanno missing an even better chance at the other end. Then an Akanji header bounced back off the woodwork and Haaland's effort from the rebound was cleared off the line by Ali Lajami. So it went to extra time and amazingly Al-Hilal were back in front within four minutes of the restart. Advertisement Former Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly got in between Nathan Ake and Dias to nod home a corner from the left. Still though there was another twist as two subs combined – Rayan Cherki chipping to the back post for Phil Foden to volley across the keeper into the opposite corner. And just when it looked to be heading for penalties Renan Lodi's cross was headed goalwards by Sergei Milenkovic-Savic. Ederson made the save but it only went into the path of Leonardo who bundled the ball in. Advertisement City huffed and puffed to try to find a way back in yet again but it wasn't to be – and completely unexpectedly, they will be heading home today.


Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
I know what Callum McGregor's one career regret will be after notable snub by Celtic Marathon Man
Paul Lambert has had his say on one major call by the Parkhead skipper Callum McGregor has shown no signs of slowing down for Celtic. The captain of the champions is living life in the fast lane as he gears up for his 12th full season at Parkhead. And Paul Lambert has no doubts that the 32-year-old maestro still has plenty of miles left in the tank. But when the homegrown hero does eventually reach the end of the road, Lambert fears one regret could linger in the rearview mirror. McGregor stunned the Tartan Army last summer when he parked his Scotland career after winning 63 caps. With more than 40 club games clocked in nine straight seasons, the Marathon Man made the decision to prolong his Celtic career. However, Lambert reckons the Hampden Hall of Famer might regret putting the brakes on his international journey once he hangs up his boots. The Hoops legend told Record Sport: "I understand it. I think he might look back on it and think, maybe I should have played a bit longer for the national team. "It's not until you finish that you think, maybe I should have played more games. "He's still got the energy and the way he plays the game suits him. "But I understand why he's done it and thought, well I'm going to play a lot of games for Celtic in the league and Europe. "If he looks back and thinks he could've played in another tournament or qualifier, then he might have changed his decision. "He could have played longer for the national team - but he knows better." Lambert insists there's no one in Steve Clarke 's ranks who can fill McGregor's boots as a deep-lying playmaker. He said: "Callum would still be a regular for Scotland. "I don't see anybody playing that role as good as him or with that game intelligence. I don't see a sitter. "I don't think Scott McTominay can do it. Billy Gilmour's probably the closest one that can, but I don't see anybody else playing that role." While McGregor may be a big loss for his country, he remains the beating heart of Celtic's winning machine. The tireless midfielder featured in all but three of the club's gruelling 57-game calendar last term. And despite his advancing years, Lambert believes Brendan Rodgers will continue to rely heavily on his talisman. He said: "I don't think he will begin to manage his minutes. I don't think 32 is an age at all, really. "The way Callum plays, he reads the game with his brain and doesn't need to take himself out of crazy positions in the middle of the pitch. "I don't think Callum will want to be rested and there's not another player at Celtic like him that can play in that role as well as him. "So 32 is no age to rest somebody and I'm pretty sure that the manager and Callum will understand that." Lambert - who retired at 35 after winning the Champions League with Dortmund and lifting multiple titles with Celtic - is adamant McGregor can still be a mainstay for seasons to come. He said: "Hopefully injury doesn't catch him or anything like that. I think he can definitely play another few years at that level. "It's like anything - Father Time catches you and decides when you're finished. It's getting your head around that when that day eventually comes. "But regarding playing for another few years, definitely. It's important. "I would say to him, play as long as you can at the highest level and then bow out - because you're a long time out of it. "I always had it in my head that 35 was enough. I had no regrets. "I had played at a really high level, won the biggest thing in the game and won a lot of titles at Celtic. "I was really happy with how my career had gone. I was fortunate to play with some great teams and play in a World Cup. "Would I want to play beyond Celtic? No. I wanted to finish at the top of it - and I did that." Rodgers has previously described his tactically astute leader as a "coach on the pitch." And while Lambert wouldn't be surprised to see McGregor in the dugout one day, the ex-Aston Villa and Norwich boss hopes the veteran doesn't rush into management too soon. He added: "I think the club might have a plan. My advice to him would be not to jump into management right away. "You have to go and learn it. It's a different kettle of fish from playing. "You have to learn the intricacies of management, managing people, dealing with different characters. "I'd certainly go and learn it, do badges and take your time because it's unforgiving. "If you jump in too soon, it can really come back and bite you. "I don't know if he's doing his coaching licences, but he's certainly got a football brain to give knowledge to people - and that's great."

Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Tuesday's briefing: Brentford retain Mbeumo hope as Real Madrid prepare for Juve
The Prince of Wales issued a personal good luck message to England ahead of Euro 2025, while UEFA has postponed a decision on whether or not to admit Crystal Palace into next season's Europa League. Brentford director of football Phil Giles 'wouldn't be massively surprised' if Bryan Mbeumo is still at the club next season. The Cameroon winger, 25, has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United, who submitted an improved bid in the region of £60million around a week ago. Giles, speaking on Monday afternoon at the unveiling of new head coach Keith Andrews, said the London club would be 'open' to a deal which was 'right for us financially', but insisted Mbeumo staying put was 'not off the table'. 'In terms of expectations, I don't actually know where that will end up,' Giles said. 'If he's here next season I wouldn't be massively surprised, it would be welcomed, we would be delighted.' 🔴 Jonny Evans has been appointed as our Head of Loans and Pathways, confirming the end of his illustrious playing career 🤝 — Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 30, 2025 Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has been handed the task of helping to progress the careers of the club's young players after confirming his retirement as a player. The 37-year-old, who won the Champions League, three Premier League titles, the FA Cup and two League Cups during his two stints at Old Trafford, has been appointed head of loans and pathways. Evans' role will see him work closely with director of football Jason Wilcox and the director of academy to ease developing talent into the first team. He told the club's official website: 'I want to officially announce my retirement from my playing career, not with sadness, but with pride, gratitude and excitement for the next chapter ahead.' The Prince of Wales has pitched in with the Lionesses' preparations for Euro 2025, helping to print names and numbers on shirts the team will wear in Switzerland, and wishing the squad 'the best of luck' for the tournament. William, who is patron of the Football Association, chatted with England head coach Sarina Wiegman and presented match jerseys to all 23 squad members at the St George's Park. In a brief personal address to the players, who begin their title defence with a group game against France in Zurich on Saturday, the prince said: 'I just want to say the best of luck to all of you. 'I have seen a few of you and said that to your faces. I know there is a good mixture of those who have been and done a few tournaments before and those whose first tournament it is.' UEFA has postponed a decision on whether or not to admit Crystal Palace into next season's Europa League. Palace thought they had secured a place in Europe's second-tier club competition thanks to their FA Cup final win over Manchester City in May but uncertainty arose as to whether they would be allowed to enter due to UEFA's multi-club ownership rules. Outgoing Palace shareholder John Textor has an interest in French club Lyon, who qualified for the same competition. UEFA announced on Monday it needed more time to make a ruling and said Lyon had reached a settlement which would exclude them from European competition next season if a decision to relegate them to the French second tier was upheld. 🏃 @KMbappe🏃 @BellinghamJude — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 30, 2025 Real Madrid face Juventus in a heavyweight Club World Cup battle in Miami, with the winners taking on either Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey, who meet in Atlanta. Meanwhile, anticipation will be building ahead of Euro 2025, which gets under way on Wednesday.