Preston North End striker Will Keane is relishing the opportunity to face his former Manchester United teammate Marcus Rashford in Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final clash against Aston Villa.
Keane, who played a key role in Preston’s 3-0 victory over Burnley to reach the last eight for the first time since the 1960s, will now go head-to-head with Rashford, who has rediscovered his form since joining Villa on loan in February.
The two players’ careers took different paths, with Keane’s injury in 2016 indirectly opening the door for Rashford’s explosive United debut at just 18. While Rashford seized his opportunity at Old Trafford, Keane moved on to carve out a career across the Championship and League One.
Reflecting on their journeys, Keane said, “That’s just the nature of football. Marcus took his chance when it came, and it was probably only a matter of time before he got it.”
Now 32, Keane returned to Preston in 2023 and has been instrumental in their cup run. He acknowledges the difficulty of facing an in-form Aston Villa but remains optimistic: “We’re the only Championship team left in the competition, and we all aspire to be Premier League players. It’s going to be a great test, and one we need to embrace.”
Despite the challenge, Keane is looking forward to seeing Rashford again, albeit with a playful warning: “Hopefully, he has an off day on Sunday, but it’ll be great to see him.”
Preston enters the match as underdogs, but with momentum on their side, Keane and his teammates are determined to push for a shock result and keep their Wembley dream alive.