Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says he faces a “huge challenge” to help revive Marcus Rashford’s career, but is ready to “exploit” his potential.
The forward joined on loan for the rest of the season from Manchester United on Sunday, with a £40m option to buy.
Rashford, who has not played since December, has been criticised by United manager Ruben Amorim, with the Portuguese saying he could not get him to see his way of thinking.
The 27-year-old, who has scored seven goals in 24 games for United this season, has trained well this week and could be in the squad to face Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup fourth round at Villa Park on Sunday (17:35 GMT).
“My challenge with him is a huge challenge. His challenge with us is exciting,” said Emery.
“I don’t want to know the reason he is leaving from Manchester but I am very happy keeping him here and I am very happy to try to exploit and help him recover his performances, individually and collectively.
“The conversation I had with him was a very normal conversation with a player and coach, speaking about football. I only want the best football from him.
“I think he has huge potential to exploit.”
Rashford was signed in the transfer window alongside Marco Asensio, Axel Disasi, Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia, but forward Malen and defender Garcia have been left out of Villa’s Champions League squad.
The club could only register an extra three players for the knockout stage under Uefa rules, meaning Malen, who arrived from Borussia Dortmund, and Garcia from Levante, are omitted.
