Gary Lineker sends Man United message to Marcus Rashford as Alan Shearer fires three-word warning

Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have expressed their hope that Marcus Rashford can find his form after leaving Manchester United on loan.

The 27-year-old made his debut for Aston Villa, after signing in the latter stages of the winter window, during their 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday. Rashford ended a difficult period at his boyhood club where he was included in just one of Ruben Amorim's matchday squads after his appearance in United's 2-1 win over Viktoria Plzen in mid-December.

The attacker rejected three offers from Saudi Pro League clubs worth up to £35million-a-year amid uncertainty over his future prior to his cross-Premier League switch. However, there were positive signs from his Villa cameo with both Lineker and Shearer expressing their hope that it is the fresh start that Rashford needs to kickstart his career.

“I thought Rashford looked lively, he had a couple of good runs, a nice little nutmeg and he was a threat down that left-hand side," he told the Rest is Football Podcast. "So, hopefully this is the bolt he needs to get him back playing well because there’s so much talent in there.

Shearer claimed that the opportunity is now up to him to make it successful, he added: "It has to be, Gaz. I said it’s like the last chance saloon, he’s been given another opportunity at a football club with a top manager who wants to get the best out of him.

"It’s up to him now. But he made a good start when he came on as a substitute."

Villa manager Unai Emery praised Rashford's performance. He said: "Marcus Rashford and [Marco] Asensio, we watched their skill and how they helped us and will help us again in the next months in the different competitions we will face.

"We are in a new way