Ruud Van Nistelrooy Faces Man Utd In FA Cup, Marcus Rashford Eyes Fresh Start At Villa

Ruud van Nistelrooy returns to Manchester United with his struggling Leicester this weekend, aiming to inflict more pain on his former club in the FA Cup as Marcus Rashford targets a fresh start with Aston Villa. Holders United kick off the fourth round at home against the Foxes on Friday, with other standout ties including Villa against Tottenham and Brighton v Chelsea. Birmingham, co-owned by former NFL superstar Tom Brady, will eye an upset against Newcastle, while a struggling Manchester City aim to avoid a monumental shock at third-tier Leyton Orient.

AFP Sport looks at some of the main talking points ahead of the action.

Rashford's redemption chance

Marcus Rashford has a point to prove after his ugly divorce from Manchester United and could make his debut for Villa against Tottenham on Sunday.

The England man was frozen out by United manager Ruben Amorim, who did not pick him from mid-December onwards, despite the Red Devils' struggles.

Rashford has had a poor season, scoring just four goals in the Premier League, and a paltry seven in total.

But he is eligible to play for Unai Emery's team in the FA Cup because he was not involved for United in their third-round victory against Arsenal.

"I couldn't put Marcus to see the way you're supposed to play football and to train the way I see it," said Amorim.

Villa, who lost Jhon Duran in the transfer window, will be looking to Rashford to help boost their goal output, especially with England international striker Ollie Watkins an injury doubt.

Former United captain Gary Neville, now a Sky Sports pundit, said the move offers Rashford opportunities in a "far better team at this moment in time".

But he said there was pressure on the forward to perform for Emery after his