England striker Marcus Rashford subtly criticized Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim after scoring his first goal for Aston Villa in their FA Cup quarter-final victory over Preston.
Rashford, who left United on loan last month due to a lack of playing time under Amorim, has since become a key player at Villa and could potentially join them permanently.
Rashford’s two goals, one from a penalty, helped Villa secure a 3-0 win over Preston and advance to the semi-finals.
In a post-match interview, Rashford suggested that he feels more physically fit since joining Villa and is relishing the opportunity to play regular football.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Rashford said: ‘It’s a great feeling, I feel like I’ve been getting fitter and playing better football since I’ve been here. It’s obviously nice for a forward to get a goal so hopefully it continues.’
‘I think we have to just take it one game at a time and give it 100 per cent on the pitch and see where it takes us. We’re a very ambitious team – we want to win and try and get as far as we can in all competitions and we also want to push to get back into the top four.’
‘Step by step. I think I can still get fitter. I missed a lot of football before joining up with them. At the minute my body feels good, I’m injury-free and I’m enjoying my football, so all good for now.’
According to Micah Richards, Rashford is much more suited to playing for Villa than for United, where he didn’t fit into Amorim’s formation.
Amorim had expressed concern regarding Rashford’s commitment to training but the forward seems to be working well under Emery.
Richards said: ‘The difference is Emery has got a structure, he’s got a plan. Under Ten Hag it was difficult and the new manager Amorim has found it difficult to put across exactly what he wants.
‘If you’re going to play a different formation, where is he gonna play? Is he going to play in one of the front three positions or maybe as a wing-back? It doesn’t really suit him.’
‘He’s coming into an environment where everyone knows their jobs and he’s just adding his skill and pace and know how to that team.’
