Marcus Rashford makes Champions League 'history' call after joining Aston Villa

The England international claimed to be “more excited than scared” after leaving United, where he has been since the age of eight, to join up with Unai Emery’s Villa for the rest of the season.

Rashford, who has not played since December 12 after being frozen out at Old Trafford, believes he is in the perfect place to rejuvenate a career gone stale and says he was attracted by Villa’s big ambitions.

Emery’s men are through to the last-16 of the Champions League and the 27-year-old, who made 33 appearances in the competition for United, said winning it with Villa was now his main objective.

“We’re obviously still in the Champions League, we want to go as far as we can in that,” he said.

“If you don’t aim to win it, you’re never going to win it. That’ll be my main objective, and keep pushing in the league to get as high as possible."

“Obviously, (it’s) the biggest competition for a club to be involved in," continued Rashford. "I’m sure it will be a new experience for me, playing for Villa in the Champions League.

“It’s always going to be a great moment, but the aims remain the same, to try and do our best to win it.

“I’ve played a fair amount of games in the Champions League, so I feel like I’m experienced and know how to handle those types of situations.”

He continued: “I know I can hurt teams. I know when I am playing at my best I can decide football games. That will be my only ambition, my only goal, to help the team win more games, more points and hopefully create history.”

Rashford had been heavily linked with Barcelona earlier in the transfer window but it was Villa who swooped in to complete a sensational loan move.

The deal also includes an option to buy for £40million, while Villa are covering 75 per cent of his £325,000-a-week wages, a figure which could rise to 90 per cent depending on performance-related bonuses.

Rashford is confident he can quickly get used to his new surroundings.

He said: “It is my first time playing for another team, so I don’t really know what to expect.

“But it has been more excitement, rather than being scared about coming into a (new) environment. 

“(Unai Emery is) a top manager and what he’s done at the club since he’s come to Villa is unbelievable.

“It’s the constant ambition that’s attractive, and it’s why you want to join such a club. You want to keep improving year on year, and that’s what the team has been doing and are doing this year."

Rashford added: “It’s a club that’s in a good position in the league, and they’re pushing to get higher. Still in the Champions League, a good, ambitious manager and great talent in the squad.

“I’ve had to choose somewhere where I feel my style of football is suited to, and can help them and help me rediscover and improve as a player.

“Obviously it’s only short-term I’m here, so I want to make the most of my time here, and the only way to do that is by using my attributes and my skillset to help the team.”