Man Utd's private talks with Premier League rivals over intriguing Marcus Rashford swap

Manchester United held talks with Aston Villa over a potential swap deal for Ollie Watkins as Marcus Rashford came to the end of his loan spell. Rashford, 27, spent the second half of last season at Villa Park, having fallen out on favour under Ruben Amorim.

The loan deal included an option for Villa to sign the United forward for £40million but it could've been very different had the swap with Watkins came to fruition. The 29-year-old was reportedly available for transfer in January, even being offered to Arsenal.

According to the Athletic, United held discussions with Villa about signing Watkins at the end of the season. The Red Devils have now made a fresh enquiry separate to Rashford, who Villa won't be signing permanently.

Amorim wants to sign a new striker and Watkins has emerged a target, with Rashford having returned to Old Trafford but appearing to have no future at United. Villa, meanwhile, are currently grappling with Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules and it's claimed that they need to make one lucrative sale in order to avoid punishment.

It's been speculated that Villa Park chiefs could follow Chelsea's example and sell their women's team in what would be a controversial move. Selling Watkins would also cause outcry, with Villa already letting one striker leave in the January transfer window before narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification.

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Unai Emery's side sanctioned the departure of Jhon Duran to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr for a cool £65million. Duran's departure didn't mean that Watkins was always first-choice for Emery, though.

Rashford started both of Villa's Champions League quarter-final clashes with Paris Saint-Germain, leaving Watkins 'fuming'. "I played 20 minutes against PSG in both games, so I'm not going to lie - I was fuming I wasn't playing," he told Sky Sports.

"I let him (Emery) know that. He's the manager at the end of the day. I respect his decision. But I'm not one of the players happy to sit on the bench.

Should Aston Villa have swapped Ollie Watkins for Marcus Rashford? Have your say in the comments section.

"It's something I haven't experienced before, missing out on the biggest stage. You always want to play, especially in the Champions League. Me and a few others are disappointed we didn't start the game, but like I said, it's the manager's decision... Rather than let it hinder you, you have to use that anger as motivation."

The England international would almost certainly start most games for the Red Devils, as he's significantly more Premier League-proven compared to United strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee. Last season, Watkins bagged 17 goals and laid on 14 assists.

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