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Every year, the release of the latest video game in the FIFA (now EA FC) series comes with up-to-date squads, new Ultimate Team challenges and a variety of gaming innovations.

But for all the groundbreaking features each edition brings, there is one thing away from the pitch that is bound to be excited about: the soundtrack.

Many songs have become synonymous with FIFA, so much so that pointing out a tune came from a specific game has been turned into something of an internet meme.

Since background music was introduced for FIFA 98, there have been hundreds of tracks used, with playlists growing all the time. In fact, EA’s website now publishes the soundtrack, such is the cultural significance that has grown over the years.

But which songs have stood the test of time? Which ones are so quintessentially ‘FIFA’ that they deserve to be remembered as such?

We’ve listed 15 of the best songs to feature on the game, ranked by taking into consideration their association with the franchise and, well, how much of a banger the tune is. We’ve even added snaps from the cover stars at the time for that extra bump of nostalgia.

Admittedly, most of these come from the tracklist’s apparent heyday, with its impact today arguably diminished compared to the last decade or so. However, that did not make this an easy task – there are simply too many great songs to choose from.

If you disagree, there’s a playlist at the bottom of the page where you can choose a favourite of your own.

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15

Complicated (Pablo La Rossa Vocal Mix) – Avril Lavigne

FIFA 2003

This countdown starts on a relatively mellow note, but even though 20 years have passed, we still see this tune as a FIFA song above anything else. Avril Lavigne’s ‘Complicated’ features on FIFA 2003, which isn’t a game overflowing with songs – there are just 13 in total.

Perhaps that’s why it’s remained in our collective consciousness for so long; imagine playing the same 13 songs on loop for a year!

But it is more than that, of course. Lavigne’s vocal is infectious and you can’t help belting it out yourself. Once you’ve become addicted to the game (which had an iconic cover including Edgar Davids and Manchester United’s Ryan Giggs), you’ll have memorised the whole thing in no time.

14

Kids – MGMT

FIFA 09

Perhaps featuring one of the best keyboard intros of its time, MGMT’s ‘Kids’ is a rousing indie anthem in its own right.

It’s one of those songs that is so good, it might be worth hanging around the menus a bit longer to let it finish. Appearing on FIFA 09 – the same year Ultimate Team made its debut – there was a lot to like about this particular edition.

13

High And Low – Empire of the Sun

FIFA 17

Released in 2016, Empire of the Sun’s ‘High And Low’ is the newest song on this list. Like any good tune, it builds slowly before exploding into a ferocious pre-chorus and catchy refrain. It has all the ingredients of the ideal gaming tune.

And like many bands, Empire of the Sun have featured multiple times on the soundtrack – it seems some artists just have that ‘FIFA’ sound. ‘Alive’ was used on FIFA 14, and wouldn’t look out of place on anyone else’s lists.

12

I Can Talk – Two Door Cinema Club

FIFA 11

Northern Irish rockers Two Door Cinema Club are also serial FIFA playlisters. In truth, any of their three appearances in the franchise to date could have been chosen, but FIFA 11’s ‘I Can Talk’ is arguably some of their best work.

Taken from their debut album, ‘Tourist History’, the tune involves the melodic blend of its pounding bassline, searing lead guitar and dance-worthy beat.

Not a bad tune to have in the background while signing a star striker on Career Mode.

11

She's Got Me Dancing – Tommy Sparks

FIFA 10

It’s no wonder ‘She’s Got Me Dancing’ has entered the mainstream. Not only did it make an appearance on FIFA 10, but it was also used on Just Dance 3, as well as an advert for the iPod Touch (remember those?).

Not to mention, it’s also a pop sensation. It’s super catchy, and the kind of thing you’d play on repeat or continue to sing after it’s over. Given it is Tommy Sparks’ standout tune, you have to commend the EA team for finding it (or Apple, we’re not sure who got there first).

10

Helicopter – Bloc Party

FIFA 06

Some bands are FIFA bands. Some songs are FIFA songs. This is both.

‘Helicopter’ by Bloc Party – who have featured three times on the FIFA soundtrack – almost immediately evokes memories of playing the game. Its opening riff makes it instantly recognisable, and it is just the kind of upbeat rock anthem to get you in the mood for a gaming session.

This game was the first of several featuring Wayne Rooney and Barcelona’s Ronaldinho on the cover – an added touch that made playing this feel special.

9

Black & Gold – Sam Sparro

FIFA 09

This isn’t FIFA 09’s first mention in this list, and there are more hits on that game we simply don’t have space for. Duffy, Foals, The Kooks and, er, Tom Jones are all on the setlist.

However, Sam Sparro’s ‘Black & Gold’ is a melodic delight that could not be ignored. It has such an addictive sound to it that you want the verses to go on and on. When they eventually end, we’re treated to a solid beat that builds into the crescendo of the chorus. Magnifique.

8

Machu Picchu – The Strokes

FIFA 12

Now we’re talking. The early 2010s boasts arguably the strongest run of EA soundtracks, and The Strokes’ ‘Machu Picchu’ brought their New York sound to the world of FIFA.

This song is all about the contagious post-chorus riff. If the song wasn’t already catchy enough, the riff’s melody would be enough for you to put the controller down and start air-guitaring.

7

Town Called Malice – The Jam

FIFA 2004

Nowadays, songs selected for the game’s soundtrack are typically released in the 12 months preceding the current edition. For FIFA 2004, EA began to push the boat out for their tracklists, with more than double the number of songs compared to FIFA 2003.

And in the pre-YouTube age, you can forgive EA for not being able to locate the best sounds of 2003 to accompany their new game. Indeed, the likes of The Stone Roses and The Jam were on the bill.

And with what may have been youngsters’ first introduction to early-80s rock and roll, The Jam’s ‘Town Called Malice’, sung by Paul Weller, quickly became an earworm for players of the game.

You’re playing the bassline in your head right now, aren’t you?

6

Cobrastyle – Teddybears

FIFA 06

We’re not sure quite what ‘di bom di deng di deng digi digi’ means, but it sounds awesome. In truth, there’s a lot to like about Teddybears’ ‘Cobrastyle’, whether it’s the addictive rhythm, catchy lyrics or THAT chorus.

Most of the lyrics come from a track by Jamaican singer Mad Cobra, who features on the track himself, hence the title of the song.

The iconic chorus is unique to the Teddybears’ version, and is a superb addition to the original, as well as to the array of FIFA bangers from over the years. This is definitely one we’d have on repeat.

Barcelona have reportedly held talks with Jhon Duran's agent over a possible transfer despite their financial woes.

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• Barca eyeing move for Aston Villa's Duran
• Held talks with the player's agent
• Duran's current contract valid until 2030

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Catalan giants are looking for a long-term replacement for their ageing forward Robert Lewandowski and have held talks with Aston Villa star Jhon Duran's agent over a possible transfer, according to . The report adds that sporting director Deco met the Colombian striker's representatives in Barcelona, where the club's vision for the player and his desire to represent the Catalan side were discussed.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The meeting, however, took place before Barcelona's attempt to register Pau Victor and Dani Olmo was rejected by the Spanish Football Federation due to the club's financial constraints. The Catalan club, who are now all set to enter into complicated legal proceedings, will have to sort the situation with Olmo and Victor first, before they can plan for future signings.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Duran has displayed impressive form in the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 12 goals in 26 appearances across all competitions including seven goals in the Premier League. Last year, the 21-year-old signed a new long-term deal with the Villans which is valid until 2030. This put the English club in an advantageous position as they can now quote a price of their choice for their star forward.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Duran is currently serving a three-match ban at Aston Villa after being sent off in a 3-0 loss against Newcastle. He will not be available for selection when Unai Emery's side take on West Ham in a third-round FA Cup clash on January 10, but could return to face Everton in the Premier League five days later.

Raphinha and Ronald Araujo have reportedly demanded an "urgent" meeting with Hansi Flick amid Juventus transfer talk.

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• Barca duo seek a private meeting with Flick
• German coach was notified in the middle of a press conference
• However, transfer speculations have been played down

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The media buzz began when Flick received a text message from staff member Arnau Blanco during a press conference ahead of Barcelona’s Spanish Super Cup final clash against Real Madrid. According to the message read: "Coach, Araujo and Raphinha want to speak with you." This unexpected development sent ripples through the press room, particularly given Araujo's recent connections to a potential move to Juventus during the ongoing transfer window.

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  Amid the swirling transfer rumours, a report from offered clarity on the true reason behind the meeting request. Araujo and Raphinha, as Barcelona’s second and fourth captains respectively, sought the meeting to discuss an internal organizational matter. The request had no connection to the transfer market, alleviating concerns about any imminent departures.

• WHAT FLICK SAID

  In the same press conference, Flick diplomatically addressed the speculation surrounding Araujo.

  “There have always been rumours since I’ve been here. We have to be professional. Ronald is coming back from a tough injury and we have to look after him. He is back and he is very professional.” Flick stated.

  “It’s not my job to talk about it, but I want him in my team. He is one of the best defenders.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

  As Barcelona prepares to face Real Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana final on Sunday, Flick’s side is determined to secure their first trophy of the season. The team will rely on the leadership of Araujo and Raphinha as they take on their historic rivals in a high-stakes encounter in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

After a busy summer transfer window, West Ham United are reportedly racing alongside Manchester United to sign a Champions League midfielder who’s unhappy at his current club.

West Ham transfer news

Despite welcoming a plethora of quality in the summer, West Ham are still feeling their way into the Premier League campaign with Danny Ings, amid all those new faces, becoming the last-minute hero against Fulham last time out. There’s no doubt that Julen Lopetegui will need time to find the perfect balance in his new squad, however, which may well come at the perfect time in a London derby against Chelsea this weekend.

When looking back on their summer window, there may even be names that Tim Steidten feels the Hammers missed out on, with Jhon Duran likely among those following his excellent start to the season at Aston Villa.

In the end, West Ham welcomed Niclas Fullkrug as a short-term solution, but are yet to see the former Borussia Dortmund star open his account. What could help the forward in January is the addition of another top Bundesliga talent.

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According to The Sun, West Ham are now racing Manchester United to sign Leon Goretzka from Bayern Munich in the January transfer window, with the midfielder reportedly unhappy at the Bavarian giants.

Losing his place under Vincent Kompany to new man Joao Palhinha, Goretzka may well be on the move in the winter window to leave West Ham in place to take full advantage. Earning a reported £292k-p/w at Bayern though, the deal won’t exactly come cheap.

Bayern’s director of sport Max Eberl recently spoke about Goretzka’s place in Kompany’s squad, saying as quoted by The Sun: “We communicated very clearly from the start. Leon knew that we were relying on Pavlo [Aleksandar Pavlovic], and that we would bring in with Palhinha and that Josh [Kimmich] would play more in the centre again.

“We’ve also said that when Leon is there and ready to face the situation, he’ll be treated completely normally. Leon’s a great guy. I like him a lot, even though he’s obviously upset at the moment. I understand that too. But that’s part of life in football.”

"Great" Goretzka could take Premier League by storm

A serial winner at Bayern Munich and now 29 years old, Goretzka may well get one last big move and the chance to make his mark on arguably the biggest league in European football. What’s more, the prospect of a partnership between the German and Lucas Paqueta is mouth-watering enough to believe that this is a deal that West Ham should be pursuing.

Fending off interest from Manchester United will be key, of course, but if the summer window proved anything, it is West Ham’s new-found ability to compete against the very top clubs in the transfer market. As Goretzka’s unhappiness grows, he’ll be more and more one to watch, particularly when the January transfer window swings open in a matter of months.

Cristo Fernandez, who plays “football is life” star Dani Rojas in Ted Lasso, says he’d be willing to work “for free” on a fourth series of the show.

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• Speculation regarding new series is rife
• Cast & crew members excited to get going
• Official confirmation is expected shortly

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  There is plenty of speculation to suggest that Ted Lasso will be returning to Apple TV+ streaming services in the not too distant future – with lead actor and writer Jason Sudeikis said to be back on board. Production may be only a matter of weeks away.

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  THE GOSSIP

  It has been suggested that Sudeikis will look to “reboot” Ted Lasso and take it in a different direction, which could lead to new characters being brought on board as some old ones are phased out. Fernandez hopes that will not be the case when it comes to Mexican forward Rojas.

• WHAT CRISTO FERNANDEZ SAID

  Fernandez has told of potentially rejoining the ranks at AFC Richmond: “I would love to see Dani. I recently did a campaign for State Farm where I played Dani Rojas with Patrick Mahomes and Jake from State Farm. And even though it's a short thing to do, I just had a great time. Ted Lasso has meant so much to me, not only to me as an actor, and having more opportunities and work, but just a message that has spread to so many fans around the globe. I'm sure to you too.

  “Football is life has meant so much to so many people. I am just forever grateful with that. And again, I don't have the decision. If you ask me, I want to be back. I will just do it for free. I don't care. I just want to be part of that because at the end of the day, that's what we do.

  “I'm developing my film company, Spectrum X Films and with my sister Paloma Cinco. We have now some movies in cinemas. So if you happen to come to Mexico, you can watch them. If not, hopefully soon. But I just hope that with my work, I can inspire so many people just the same way Ted Lasso has inspired so many people. And I hope there's more. I hope there's more Ted Lasso. I hope there's more Dani Rojas.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  The 33-year-old went on to say: “I think what I've learned the most from Dani is that life is complex, life is complicated. There's, you cannot only be happy. There's also black and white, there's light and shadow. But regardless of what happens, I think it's always important to know why you do certain things and remind yourself of the passion while you do certain things.

  “And Dani is always passionate about a game. He embraces his life with the joy and reminds us of that kid we all have inside us. So if I have a stressful day, I try to remember the positive aspects of why I do what I do. And Dani reminds me of that. Unless Dani's playing for the national team, then he gets angry. That's some of the lessons I've learned from Dani.”

Newcastle United lost 3-1 at Fulham on Saturday and journalist Luke Edwards has slammed the performance of one “shocking” Magpies player, not least his body language.

Newcastle suffer defeat at Fulham

Eddie Howe’s side knew a win at Craven Cottage could have put them top of the Premier League, following a strong start to the season, certainly in terms of results.

Newcastle’s performances in 2024/25 haven’t always been totally convincing, however, and a disappointing showing on Saturday afternoon ended in a deserved defeat.

Goals from Raul Jimenez and Emile Smith Rowe put Fulham in complete control in the first half, firing them into a 2-0 lead with only a quarter of the game played, but Harvey Barnes did at least reduce the arrears straight after half-time. Reiss Nelson completed the scoring in stoppage time, however, as the Magpies suffered their first league defeat of the season.

The loss in west London leaves Newcastle sixth in the table, and while the start to the season has been a solid one overall so far, there was arguably a feeling that a result of this ilk was coming, having beaten Tottenham and Wolves but not played particularly well in either, for example.

It was a day when so many individuals played poorly, but one star has come in for specific criticism, as his below-par start to the campaign continues.

Journalist slams "shocking" Newcastle player

Taking to X during the first half, Edwards didn’t hold back in his negativity towards Newcastle ace Anthony Gordon, describing his performance as his worst in a Magpies shirt to date:

In truth, the criticism aimed at Gordon is completely fair, with the Magpies’ £45m signing totally out of sorts for much of the game against Fulham, offering nowhere near enough quality in the final third.

He only won five out of 11 ground duels at Craven Cottage, while a 75% pass completion rate suggests he was a little wasteful in possession. Meanwhile, his Expected Assists (xA) during his 83 minutes on the pitch was just 0.08, highlighting a lack of creativity on show when his side needed it.

Gordon, on £60,000-a-week, has made a forgettable start to the season, especially compared to his excellent 2023/24 campaign, with only one goal and zero assists to his name in five appearances. He is being outperformed by Barnes, who has netted in his last three outings, and as Edwards alludes to, his body language looks questionable at the moment.

16x possession lost: 4/10 Newcastle man was worse than Trippier vs Fulham

Eddie Howe’s men suffered their first league defeat of the season

By
Ross Kilvington

Sep 21, 2024

Whether the Englishman’s failed summer move to boyhood club Liverpool is playing on his mind remains to be seen, but he arguably doesn’t look the happiest player right now, and more performances like the one produced against Fulham could lead to Howe dropping him. Improvements are needed in the coming weeks, or his stock could start to fall.

West Ham United have been linked with an audacious move in 2025 to sign a man dubbed in some quarters as the next Mohamed Salah, it has been reported, as they look to back Julen Lopetegui in the transfer market.

West Ham snatch Brentford draw

Though still without a win in four games, West Ham came from a goal down to snatch a draw against Brentford at the G-Tech Community Stadium in their most recent Premier League outing, and their performance suggested that improvement, and a rise up the Premier League, could be on the way. Tomas Soucek scored their only goal as they managed a 1-1 stalemate, but Lopetegui was keen to take the positives from the situation.

“We balanced the match in the first half and in the second half, in my opinion, we were better than them. We deserved to win, but we drew as we had a lot of situations to do better in the last pass, in the last cross, when we had a very clear situation”, he admitted after the game.

“We were able to change the match against a very good team at home, so we have to highlight this, to keep the good, positive things. We are with one win very close with a lot of teams, a lot of big teams, so I think that I have tried to highlight the positive things and to highlight the positive reaction in the second half when we worked as a team, and it is very important for us.”

But their goal returns remain a concern, with the club having scored just six so far and their three recognised strikers having combined for just one of those. Having missed out on Jhon Duran over the summer, it is clear that they still need reinforcements, and now they have identified a potential new striker at the London Stadium.

West Ham eyeing "next Mo Salah"

That comes as Football Transfers report that the Hammers are eyeing a potential move to sign Eintracht Frankfurt star Omar Marmoush in 2025 as they look to bolster their attack.

The Egyptian stayed in the Bundesliga after Nottingham Forest failed with a bid over the summer, but reports in Germany claim that he still dreams of a move to the Premier League, and that his current side will not stand in his way should a suitable offer come in for his services.

Though there is no release clause in his contract, he will be down to the final two years of his £27,000 a week deal come next summer, which means his value will likely decline from that point unless he pens fresh terms.

Lost the ball every 3.4 touches: Lopetegui must now drop 5/10 West Ham star

He lost the ball every 3.4 touches

1

By
Joe Nuttall

Sep 29, 2024

An up-and-coming Egyptian international playing in Europe’s top leagues, he has been touted as the “new Mohamed Salah” who could take the Premier League by storm if and when he makes the move.

It is claimed that “West Ham are keen” on adding him to their frontline, with the club poised to lose Michail Antonio and Danny Ings in the next year. No price tag is mentioned, though Forest’s summer offer of £25m was deemed a “joke” in German reports, suggesting a much higher fee may be required to prise him away, especially if he continues his strong form this season.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have raised the funds that will allow Wrexham to break their transfer record by issuing one £3 million share.

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• Hollywood co-owners calling the shots
• More funds made available for new recruits
• Red Dragons looking for another promotion

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Red Dragons are hoping to get more business done before the winter window slams shut. It is expected that a big-money deal for Reading striker Sam Smith will be completed ahead of the latest deadline. That agreement could be worth as much as £2m ($2.5m).

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  If that figure proves to be correct, then Smith will become the costliest purchase in the Welsh club’s history by quite some distance. Said record was broken on two occasions during the summer of 2024 by Ollie Rathbone and Mo Faal – with the latter acquired for a reported £590,000 fee.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Wrexham are now moving into seven figures, but Hollywood co-owners have been able to raise funds through the issue of another share. It has been revealed that an investor has injected £3m ($3.7m) into the club, which will help to fund further projects on and off the field.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  Phil Parkinson has been eager to bring more firepower onto his books despite already having Paul Mullin, Ollie Palmer, Jack Marriott, Steven Fletcher and record signing Faal at his disposal. Wrexham are currently sat third in the League One table, with just one point being taken from their last three fixtures.

Leeds United are already planning to strengthen in one particular area in the January transfer window, according to a recruitment expert.

Despite a tricky couple of weeks at the beginning of the season, the Whites have turned their form around and have headed into this international break in a strong position in the Championship table.

Graham Smyth shares twist from Leeds on Barcelona's £55m Raphinha payment

There have been conflicting reports.

By
Charlie Smith

Oct 10, 2024

Latest Leeds news

The international break has probably come at the right time for the Yorkshire side, as they’ve suffered a lot of injuries already in this campaign, and this break gives them time to see if any can return.

Daniel Farke has already confirmed that Daniel James could be back available for their game against Sheffield United. The winger has been on the sidelines since August, but he now looks to be closing in on a return. This is a welcome boost, as fellow winger Manor Solomon has also suffered with an injury and has subsequently missed international duty with Israel and instead stayed at Thorp Arch to continue his recovery.

Away from injuries, Leeds headed into this break under a bit of a cloud, as goalkeeper Illan Meslier made a costly mistake, which meant Leeds had to settle for a 2-2 draw away at Sunderland last week instead of a victory. That blunder has put him under the spotlight, but Farke is planning to stick with Meslier when they face the Blades next week.

However, his long-term future may be in doubt, as a recruitment expert states that the Whites and the 49ers Enterprises are looking for a replacement.

Recruitment expert says Leeds are eyeing Meslier replacement

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown has told Football Insider that Leeds United are planning on signing a new goalkeeper in the January transfer window. This comes after Meslier’s costly mistake against the Black Cats last Friday, as previously mentioned.

Brown used to work at Old Trafford, and while he is out of the game, he still remains well-connected, and he has stated that concerns over Meslier have led the club to look at signing a replacement. The former chief scout believes signing a new goalkeeper would help Leeds have a settled team and therefore find more consistency in results.

Brown said: “I’m told they’ll certainly be looking at their options. Meslier represents, to me, what Leeds United have become. I think they’re totally inconsistent.

“They’re all over the place at times, got left-backs playing centre-forward and all of this, and it leads to some really frustrating results for them. Part of that is the defence having a goalkeeper behind them who gives them confidence.

“They need somebody who comes to claim crosses and makes saves you don’t expect of them. But if, all of a sudden, he’s throwing one into his own net, it just leads to more nerves and inconsistency within the team and the back line. Leeds have been like that for four or five years now and that’s why they didn’t get promoted last season.

“That incident with Meslier – you’d never see that coming, but it happens. That’s Leeds at the moment. If it wasn’t him, it would be somebody else making a silly mistake. But that’s why they’re definitely going to be considering their options, because having that solid and consistent goalkeeper would do them a world of good.”

Unai Emery has highlighted the 'challenge' that he faces with Marcus Rashford at Aston Villa after signing the winger on loan from Manchester United.

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• Rashford joined Aston Villa on loan
• Emery opens up on 'huge challenge'
• Could make Aston Villa debut on Sunday

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rashford had been looking for avenues to leave Manchester United during the winter transfer window after having been cast out of the Red Devils squad by Ruben Amorim. However, after all the ventures for permanent exits dried up, Aston Villa signed the 27-year-old on a six-month loan deal with no obligation to buy in the summer.

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  Emery has now opened up about the signing of Rashford on deadline day, revealing that he won't question the winger about his issues at Manchester United. The Basque coach also opened up on facing a 'huge challenge' with the England international at Aston Villa this season.

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  WHAT EMERY SAID

  Speaking to the media, Emery said: "My challenge with him is a huge challenge. His challenge with us is exciting.

  "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."

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• WHAT NEXT FOR RASHFORD?

  The 2022/23 Uefa Europa League top scorer could potentially make his Aston Villa debut on Sunday, February 9 when Emery's men take on Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the FA Cup.