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Ex-Manchester United player says Unai Emery and Aston Villa will be under the microscope following Marcus Rashford transfer
Paul Parker has issued a warning for Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, who he believes has taken on a "challenge" in loanee Marcus Rashford.
The Villans struck a deadline day deal for Rashford to join them on loan from Manchester United for the remainder of the season, after Rashford was frozen out of the Red Devils' first team by manager Ruben Amorim.
Rashford saw his playing time diminish under previous Man United manager Erik ten Hag due to disciplinary issues and the arrival of Amorim at Old Trafford in November only offered a brief reprieve for the 27-year-old, who found himself out of the squad altogether within a matter of weeks despite scoring three goals in his first two starts under Amorim.
It's this recent history that makes Parker question Villa's wisdom in taking Rashford on loan, with the retired two-time Premier League winner wondering whether Emery wanted the player at Villa Park at all.
“Aston Villa has gotten themselves a prominent name," Parker told MyBettingSites.co.uk. "Everyone was talking about him two years ago, but today it is a big gamble to sign him.
“I don't know how big of a say the manager had. I am surprised that Emery has decided to take Rashford on. I am really surprised he has taken on that challenge.
“I wonder where he is going to play him. He doesn't want to play as a centre forward, and they have good players on the left wing.
“Rashford is known for being lazy, and that is what everyone is thinking about. He did it to his local team, so he can do it to anyone.”
Whether or not Emery wanted Rashford to join his club, Parker believes it will be the manager that will judged for how it all turns out, along with Man United, Aston Villa, and Rashford himself.
“Barcelona, AC Milan and Monaco were mentioned [as potential transfer destinations for Rashford]," Parker said. "I don´t think any of those rumours were serious, and now he is going to Birmingham to play for Aston Villa. He is under the microscope.
“Man United, Rashford, Aston Villa and Emery will all be under the microscope. Everyone knows about Marcus Rashford, even the guy who works in the local bank who doesn´t know anything about football. And it is not good things he has heard about him.
“His fanboys will try to blame Man United, but Rashford is the only one to be blamed, and he has to go and say that publicly.
“He will have to work very hard now. He is not protected by his local fans anymore from his own home town club. Maybe it can take some pressure away from him, but it will be very tough for him.”
