Marcus Rashford has at least 12 games to prove he still has what it takes to be a top-class forward.
Throw in at least – but probably more – a couple of Champions League games and an FA Cup run then the on-loan Manchester United man may get close to 20 more matches in a Villa short.
If he doesn’t show his very best then he can wave goodbye to either staying at Villa or securing a move to one of Europe’s top clubs.
The latter is certainly his ambition as he’s well aware his career at Old Trafford is over unless Ruben Amorim somehow doesn’t survive beyond the summer and United bean counters think they can keep him on the books.
Rashford has started with a little bit of promise at Villa. But he’s yet to sparkle despite what clips on social media may show.
The England forward has always had those ‘moments’ even during his lowest form at United. The move, the change of pace, the strike, the near miss.
(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
That’s all United have really seen since the end of the 2022-23 campaign. But that’s not going to be enough to capture the imagination of the biggest clubs in the world.
Rashford believes he has the ability to play for the likes of Barcelona. He does certainly have the ability but does he still have the attitude?
That’s what’s on trial at Villa. Can Rashford prove to the doubters that he has the mentality and hunger to be a world-class player still?
That’s the test for him in the next three months. It’s bringing consistent performances every week and not just the small highlights to get those with short attention spans salivating over his play.
(Image: Getty Images)
Rashford is only 27 and he’s not really fighting for his career like Raheem Sterling may be at Arsenal, given he’s a bit older.
No matter what happens in the next few months, Rashford will find a new club in the summer.
But if he’s going to get a big move or convince Villa to trigger the £40m clause and pay him anything close to his £350,000-a-week wages, then he needs to really shine and do it consistently.
There’s doubts over his commitment now and he has to prove that he has the desire. Otherwise it will be a huge reality check for Rashford next summer.
(Image: Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
Not only will he have to take a whopping pay cut, he will have to play for a team further down the Premier League or one of its equivalents abroad. Rashford is good enough, he has the talent. Now show it.
Those little moments that make nice social media clips won’t cut it. Rashford needs to score goals, create them and play well for 90 minutes consistently.
The clock is ticking if he wants to remain a marquee player at a top club. He must start showing it today against Chelsea.