Marcus Rashford will not return to Manchester United because he is not happy with his old club.

Marcus Rashford, the youngster who shone at Manchester United, has made a promising start to life at Aston Villa despite still being without a goal for his new club. Despite struggling for form after signing a new contract with the Red Devils in 2023, hopes of a return to form have been raised by a move to Birmingham.

Marcus Rashford From Manchester United To Aston Villa

Rashford has started this season with incredible determination, despite failing to find the net since joining Aston Villa. Two years ago, he signed a new contract worth at least £300,000 a week with Manchester United, which led many to question the wisdom of that decision. In fact, Rashford enjoyed a career-best 30-goal season under Erik ten Hag, a remarkable feat for a European striker.

However, in the following year and a half, the player scored just 15 goals, leading to doubts over his ability. Selling a key player so soon after such a large financial commitment was a clear reflection of Rashford's decline at Old Trafford.

Marcus Rashford is happy to join Aston Villa (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)

Manchester United legend Gary Pallister, however, has defended the decision to extend Rashford's contract, insisting that at the time, the player deserved the reward. “Marcus Rashford was fit and healthy and would have gone to most Premier League clubs. They were right to give him a new contract,” Pallister told Express Sport with Spaceport Sweden.

He added: “His form was impressive, he was a regular in the England squad and I think he was one of the best strikers in the Premier League. No one could have predicted the decline in his form after that.”

Manchester United exit to prove his worth

While defending his decision to extend Rashford's contract, Pallister believes that leaving in January was the right choice after noticing that the player "looked unhappy" at United. He believes that the main reason for Rashford's decline in form could be related to the blockbuster contract the 27-year-old signed.

Leon Bailey of Aston Villa celebrate with Marcus Rashford after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League

“There's always a theory, and I've heard managers talk about it, that when you give a player a big contract, they get comfortable and maybe lose a bit of their hunger,” Pallister said. The legend also added that many managers are concerned that big money can dampen a player's motivation.

Despite his promising start to life at Aston Villa, Pallister doesn't believe Rashford will return to Manchester United in the future. Given his current state, the big question is whether Rashford can rediscover his best form.

Marcus Rashford has enjoyed a promising start to life at Aston Villa, but his form saga has left fans and pundits questioning the former Manchester United star's future.