After another disappointing night for Marcus Rashford in the FA Cup, the interim boss of Manchester United admits he is not sure why the forward is struggling.
The 19-year-old was taken off with less than five minutes left in the third-round tie at Old United after failing to make an impact.
Scott McTominay's first-half goal was enough to send United through to the fourth round, where they will play Championship side Middlesbrough.
Scott McTominay scored the winning goal.
The fans were frustrated by the decision-making of Marcus Rashford, who failed to challenge the Villa 'keeper after he parried Mason Greenwood's effort towards the penalty spot.
Interim manager Rangnick said he didn't know why the academy graduate was not performing well. I think he's trying. He was in the starting XI because he was doing well in training.
In the first half we tried to get him into the box, but we found him quite often. I decided to make two changes at the end of the game because in the second half that was not the case.
It was important to get into the next round. It's important that strikers score goals on and off, that there are moments of success, and that confidence is important.
It would be great for Marcus if he could score a goal, but as long as he's training well, I don't see that much of a problem.
What's gone wrong with Rashford this season?
The Soccer Saturday panel had their say on Marcus Rashford's difficult first half of the season.
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The Soccer Saturday panel discuss what has gone wrong for Marcus Rashford.
Alan McInally.
He was carrying Manchester United for a year and a half. He was the up-and-coming star, but there was no one to help him.
He broke his back while playing for England and is still asked to keep Manchester United in the position he's in.
After they didn't win the Europa League final, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should have been fired.
He hasn't had that spark in the games, and his decision-making has not been good. He usually has an extra yard.
I still think Manchester United owe him some slack, considering what he's done for them already. I think he will come good.
"I would play Mason in the middle, and then I'd play on the left and right for the rest of the game."
Lee Hendrie.
If you're hoping to build confidence and momentum, you want to be playing week in, week out at Manchester United. You have to be given time to play.
Marcus Rashford has the ability to score goals and create goals. He's one of the players who has their confidence down. Where do you play him? You need to get a position for him in the middle or out wide. He'll score goals if you get minutes into him.
It hasn't worked for him this season, but I think he will come good. I still think there's more to come from Marcus Rashford. There are too many forwards in Manchester United's side.
Paul Merson is a musician.
I think the Rashford situation is related to the signing of a new player. I think Solskjaer had a plan to have Marcus Rashford on the other side, and then Edinson Cavani on the other side, with both of them playing counter-attacking football.
"Rashford could pick up the ball on the halfway line, where he can start running at players, but that isn't happening." Everyone is looking for the same thing.
The United flatter to deceive again.
Sky Sports' Oliver Yew.
It was done for Manchester United.
"After the FA Cup tie, Steven Gerrard will be left scratching his head on the bus, wondering how his side didn't get something from it."
"Villa were the better side as they passed their way through Manchester United time and time again, just as Wolves did in their win at Old Trafford a week ago, as Ralf Rangnick's side's failures of the last few weeks appeared again."
"McTominay and Fred may have combined for what proved to be United's winning goal in the opening stages, but time after time United were overrun in the middle of the park as Villa piled the pressure on the hosts."
The home fans were frustrated as passes went astray and Villa continued to dominate the game, and on a different day, they would have got their reward.
"However, it was to be United's day as they held on for a much-needed win to ease the pressure on Rangnick."
What's next?
SNF is live.
Saturday 15th of January at 5:00pm.
The two teams will meet again in less than a week, but this time it will be at Villa Park, live on Sky Sports, and the game will start at 5pm.
After completing a medical, he is ready to play.
Philippe Coutinho will be ready to play in Saturday's match against Manchester United after completing his medical.
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The best moments of the season for Philippe Coutinho.
Coutinho is in France and will join his new teammates for their first training session on Wednesday, after completing paperwork for his work permit.
After recovering from Covid, it is thought that the former Reds player will make himself available for the game against United on Saturday, which is live on Sky Sports.
The deal includes an option to buy the Brazilian for a fee of more than 30 million dollars at the end of the season.
Sky Sports News has been told that Villa are paying less than 50 per cent of Coutinho's weekly wage, plus bonuses, and that he agreed to a pay cut, with other clubs offering deals that would have seen him earn 100 per cent of his Barcelona wage.
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