I spoke to Marcus Rashford before Man United exit – I'm not surprised he was embarrassed

Wayne Rooney has admitted that he was not shocked by Manchester United's treatment of Marcus Rashford before his move to Aston Villa.

The 27-year-old forward joined Villa on loan over the weekend and is aiming to end the season on a high note. Rashford, who last played in United's Europa League victory over Viktoria Plzen on December 12, was included in only one of the last 12 matchday squads after being criticised by manager Ruben Amorim for his efforts in training.

The United forward will be hoping to make a more positive impact under Villa manager Unai Emery. However, Rooney revealed that he had advised Rashford to leave United earlier in his career and was not surprised by the club's handling of him during the January transfer window, having watched his former team-mate train alone ahead of United's win over Fulham last month.

"I went into Carrington on Sunday to take my kids to game day and Marcus was out on the training pitch with the fitness coach," Rooney said on the Stick to Football podcast. "But he was right over towards where the parents were walking past for the kids' games. I looked at him thinking how embarrassing it must be for him as parents walk past.

"I was surprised when this started over two years ago, but now I'm not," Rooney continued. "I've spoken to Marcus a couple of times and I've given him my thoughts and feelings that he needs to leave the club, because whatever is going on his life and at United, he's not the same.

"For him to have a fresh start, he needs to leave the club. The fact that your manager is coming out and saying that you're not training right is crazy."

While Rashford has joined Villa on a temporary basis, The Guardian claims that his days at United are likely over, irrespective