What Man Utd fans were saying about Marcus Rashford during PSG vs Aston Villa

 Manchester United fans have given their verdicts on Marcus Rashford's performance against Paris Saint-Germain. The Aston Villa loanee was chosen to start the Champions League quarter-final first leg by Unai Emery and he was deployed as a lone striker.

Rashford, 27, had got the nod over Ollie Watkins against a team and at a stadium which he knows well from his two previous with the Red Devils long before Ruben Amorim exiled him. The recently-recalled England star has found his feet at Villa since the international break, having joined them on loan until the end of this season in January.

Emery and Co. have the option to make his stay permanent for a reported £40million this summer and three goals in his last two starts coming to Paris boded well. PSG have even tipped to reignite their interest in Rashford and challenge Villa for his signature.

Here's a round-up of what United supporters were saying about his performance.

Praise for 'pre-assist'

What a start it was for Villa and Rashford played a role in Morgan Rogers' brilliantly-worked opening goal. John McGinn dispossessed Ousmane Dembele and burst forward, playing a pass across to Rashford who found space on the left.

The on-loan star then sent Youri Tielemans into the final third with a perfectly-weighted pass. Tielemans produced a low cross and Rogers did the rest, finishing past the sprawling Gianluigi Donnarumma to make it 1-0 and send the away end into pandemonium.

United fans didn't miss Rashford's involvement and showered him with praise. "Rashford is one of the best passers of the football in world football," one X user posted. "The appreciation he leaves on his passes, consistently, is incredible."

Another replied: "Rashford, what a pre-assist" A third noted: "That Rashford pre-assist, Amad is Utd’s only attacker capable of that decision making."

One even joked: "Rashford pre-assist at his playground," referencing his record at the Parc des Princes. The 27-year-old had scored on his two previous visits to PSG's ground, both in United wins.

'Looks like a man possessed?'

Ex-United defender and TNT Sport co-commentator Rio Ferdinand was excited by Rashford's performance. "He's looking like a man possessed," Ferdinand said during the first half.

One supporter wasn't so impressed, though, posting on X, formerly Twitter: "[Ally] McCoist and Rio doing their best to make this game the Marcus Rashford show. McCoist getting giddy on the two occasions Rashford's ran into PSG's box. 'So positive, brilliant' blah blah blah. Then Rio joins in. Isn't that what he's supposed to do?"

Ferdinand's comment came after Rashford breezed past Lucas Beraldo and drove into PSG's penalty area. His cross was cut out.

Familiar problems arise

As Villa's lead faded, so did Rashford's performance. Stunning strikes from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia either side of half-time turned Wednesday's game on its head and their No.9 was doing little to shift the momentum.

Isolated for much of the second half, Rashford couldn't make an impact and was thwarted by the PSG defence whenever he did get the ball. He was eventually subbed off for Watkins in the 79th minute before Nuno Mendes made it three for the hosts.

"I love Rashford but I can see why Amorim didn't fancy him he's still doing the same stuff running into players he's not learning," a United fan bemoaned.

"I don't see Aston Villa making the Rashford deal permanent," one theorised. A second added: "We will do incredibly well to get £40m for Rashford this summer."