A 14-YEAR-OLD Manchester United academy star sent Marcus Rashford a sweet message after the forward joined Aston Villa on loan.
JJ Gabriel is part of the youth set-up at United – where Rashford also progressed through the ranks.
And he revealed a classy gesture from the £325,000-a-week forward just days before he sealed his exit to Villa Park.
Commenting on the post confirming Rashford’s switch, teenage sensation Gabriel dubbed ‘Kid Messi’ replied: “All the best thanks for taking pens with me [the] other day.”
The youngster, who signed for United alongside Cristiano Ronaldo Jr in 2022, finished off the comment with a clapping hands emoji.
Plenty of fans picked up on the remark and praised Rashford for his behaviour.
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One said: “That’s actually quite wholesome.”
Another wrote: “They all really looked up to him.”
And a third added: “Very wholesome. I wish nothing but Marcus the best at Aston Villa.”
Wayne Rooney revealed he saw Rashford training alone when he went to Carrington to watch his son Kai in action for the United youngsters.
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And the club legend was left with second-hand embarrassment as Rashford worked out in close proximity to the juniors’ pitches.
Rooney told the Stick to Football podcast: “I went into Carrington on Sunday to take my kids to game day and Marcus Rashford was out on the training pitch with the fitness coach.
“But he was right over towards where the parents were walking past for the kids’ games.
“I looked at him thinking how embarrassing it must be for him as parents walked past. He’s there and all the parents are walking past him.”
After his public fall-out with Ruben Amorim in which he was exiled from the squad and told he would never play for United again, Rashford eventually completed his departure to Villa Park on Sunday night.
Villa agreed to cover 75 per cent of Rashford’s mammoth wages – a stumbling block for other interested clubs – and have an option to make the transfer permanent for £40million at the end of the season.
Upon arriving at his new club, the forward said: “I would like to thank Manchester United and Aston Villa for making this loan deal happen.
“I was lucky to have a few clubs approach me but Aston Villa was an easy decision.
“I really admire the way that Aston Villa have been playing this season, and the managers’ ambitions.
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“I just want to play football and am excited to get started.
“I wish everyone at Manchester United all the best for the rest of the season.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
