Aston Villa look set to take Marcus Rashford on loan. Officials from the Birmingham club have been thrashing out the fine details of a temporary move for the out-of-favour former England star. Rashford's £315,000-a-week wages have proved a major stumbling block to any move - permanent or temporary. It appears that Villa have cut a deal with United over those - at least until the end of the current campaign. Villa's top earner is keeper Emi Martinez who pulls in around £150,000-a-week.

It is highly unlikely they will be smashing their pay ceiling by over double to land the 27-year-old forward. That means United will be paying him to play for another club for the remainder of the season. Villa need a replacement for striker Jhon Duran who left this week for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in a deal valued at £77.5million. Emery needs plausible back-up both out wide - where Rashford normally operates - and through the middle, should No.1 striker Ollie Watkins pick up an injury.

Villa have included a clause enabling them to buy the player at a later date. Rashford revealed in December that he was ready for a 'new challenge' away from his boyhood club. The 27-year-old hasn't featured in any of United's last 12 matches, only getting closest to the pitch when he was an unused substitute against Newcastle on December 30. Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim hasn't been satisfied with his performances in training and said of Rashford earlier this week: "Our team should be so much better with Rashford. But he has to change. If he changes, we are more than welcome to put in a talent like Rashford and we need it.

Will Marcus Rashford rediscover his best form at Aston Villa? Give us your prediction in the comments section. "In this moment, I think it's really clear that we have to set some certain standards. We are waiting for Marcus, if he wants it really, really bad. You try to make it something personal but it's not personal, I have nothing against Marcus. I have to make the same rules for everybody and that for me it's so simple, it's always the same.

"The situation is the same for every player and the last time I talked about that in the last game my sentence was that I will not put any player that doesn't give the maximum. I didn't say I will not put Marcus Rashford so it's the same situation. When I feel that it's the right moment, I will put any player to play. "We are a better team with Rashford and that is clear. He's a big talent but until the right moment I will not change my mind, that's all and it's always the same answer.".

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