Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer believe Marcus Rashford has a chance to turn a corner at Aston Villa and prove his critics wrong.

Rashford finalised his move to Villa Park on Sunday evening, joining the club on loan for the remainder of the season, while there is an option to make the deal permanent in the summer for £40m. The forward's position at United became untenable in recent months with Ruben Amorim speaking a number of times on Rashford's omission from the United squad.

In a humiliating blow, the Portuguese head coach even said he would rather play his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach, Jorge Vital, than Rashford or any other player that does not give his "maximum" in training. A report from The i in September also cited an inside source from Rashford's camp who claimed the player felt like he was being ‘bullied’ by pundits over his lacklustre performances.

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Former England strikers Shearer and Lineker, speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, suggested Rashford's issues at United may have stemmed from problems with his attitude, after insinuating that other United mangers – aside from Amorim – have had difficulties with the forward. However, they both agreed he now has the chance to start fresh under Unai Emery.

"It's probably a good move, hopefully for all at the moment. It's an ongoing thing with the press conferences with Amorim constantly being asked about Rashford. It was getting really difficult," Lineker said.

Shearer then interjected to give his take on the situation, adding: "Yeah, I think it's a real pivotal point now for Rashford, because he's not the only manager that's gone into Man United and thrown questions at Marcus Rashford. So I think it's best he gets out. And it's now up to him.

"And he's got the opportunity to get back to where he wants to be, to where he was years ago, and stop all the talk about whether he's got the right attitude, whether he wants it enough, whether he wants to play enough football. He's got the opportunity at a huge football club to go and do that now.

"So he's been given another opportunity. He's had people criticise him – he thinks unfairly – but I don't think everyone can be wrong in terms of the managers that have had a pop. So he's now got the chance to get his career back on track."

There have been some past disciplinary issues for Rashford at United. Back in March 2024, Rashford's standing at the club, and with former manager Erik ten Hag, was all but 'tarnished' due to the forward missing training earlier in the year after a late-night outing in Belfast.

Prior to his exit from the Red Devils, Rashford had claimed that he was primed for a "new challenge", which also led to him not featuring again under Amorim. And speaking to Villa TV after signing on the dotted line for Villa, the forward seemed ready for his new venture.

"I am definitely excited," Rashford said. "It is an ambitious time for this club and a great opportunity for me to join the team and help them keep pushing forward."