‘EASY DECISION’

MARCUS RASHFORD claims joining Aston Villa on loan until the end of the season was an “easy decision”

The Manchester United forward, 27, agreed the switch after falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim.

And Villa will have the option to BUY the Red Devils academy graduate come the end of the season.

It’s understood they will have to shell out a cool £40million should they wish to permanently acquire his services.

Rashford posted a message on Instagram, hailing the Villans’ style of play.

He said: “I would like to thank Manchester United and Aston Villa for making this loan deal happen.

“I was lucky to have a few clubs approach me but Aston Villa was an easy decision – I really admire the way that Aston Villa have been playing this season, and the managers’ ambitions. I just want to play football and am excited to get started.

“I wish everyone at Manchester United all the best for the rest of the season.”

The Midlanders had announced the signing just minutes earlier by saying: “Aston Villa is delighted to announce the loan signing of Marcus Rashford from Manchester United.”

The deal to bring in Rashford is a major financial outlay.

The Villans are understood to be paying the majority of Rashford’s whopping £325,000-a-week wages — which he’s unlikely to get should he permanently move to Villa park in the summer.

Despite three goals in Amorim’s manager’s first two Premier League games, Rashford has not featured for his boyhood club since December 12.

A public bashing from Amorim has included the Portuguese chief saying he would rather put his 63- year-old goalkeeper coach Jorge Vita on the pitch instead of “a player who doesn’t give the maximum every day”.

Now, though, he has sealed his short-term escape out of Old Trafford.

The loan switch comes after Aston Villa sold Jhon Duran to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr for £64million.

Rashford is keen to get his career back on track after a difficult few years under both Erik ten Hag and now Amorim.

And the chance to play in the Champions League again will undoubtedly appeal.

Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Monaco and AC Milan were all linked with the United academy graduate – although his mammoth £325,000-a-week wages proved an issue.

But now Rashford is staying put in the Premier League at Villa after the two clubs thrashed out a deal.

After the blistering start, Rashford and the manager’s relationship soured when Amorim was told the striker had been out on a Friday night – less than 48 hours before the Everton game.

He called the forward in for a meeting where Rashford denied the allegations – and they have not patched up their differences.

Rashford then angered Amorim further by publicly revealing he is “ready for a new challenge” away from Old Trafford.

The player reckons he has received unfair treatment — and there are thoughts there may have been orders from the top.

A source told The Sun: “Marcus thinks Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants him out of the club and has basically told head coach Ruben Amorim to get him out —Sun.