Fast forward two months and Rashford is already rapidly reforming his reputation for scoring goals and creating them in a Villa shirt. He scored his first two goals since December 1 to help Unai Emery's side soar past Preston North End and into the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday.

Manchester United will soon have to make decisions over their loanees Antony and Marcus Rashford, who are playing well at Real Betis and Aston Villa respectively

On-loan Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has been backed to shine further at Aston Villa by teammate Jacob Ramsey. "You can see in training and even watching the England games that he’s been getting that confidence back," Ramsey said via The Mirror. "Two goals in the FA Cup... he’ll be buzzing and hopefully he can keep scoring.”

Of the several humiliations Manchester United face this year, one close to the top of the list would be Marcus Rashford snatching the FA Cup from his boyhood club – and holders of the trophy – after they went to such lengths to force him out of Old Trafford.

Manchester United player Marcus Rashford, on loan to Aston Villa, scored a confident penalty in the Aston Villa vs Preston North End FA Cup QF game on Sunday

Rashford could join the likes of Brian Talbot and, more recently, Olivier Giroud in winning back-to-back FA Cups with different teams. Eight months ago, it was Rashford who took United from defence to attack with one beautiful crossfield pass leading to Kobbie Mainoo’s winner in last season’s final.

Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford bagged his first goals for Aston Villa on Sunday as they booked their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup

Marcus Rashford’s first goals for Aston Villa on Sunday inspired a 3-0 win against Preston North End that sent his side into the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 10 years. Rashford struck twice in the second half at Deepdale to end Preston’s stubborn resistance before Jacob Ramsey wrapped up Villa’s long-awaited return to the last four.

The England forward has rediscovered his form under Unai Emery, but Villa’s future is tied to where they finish in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup

Marcus Rashford ended his nine-game goal drought for Aston Villa as they surged into the FA Cup semi-finals, netting twice at Preston.