Gerrard responds to Man Utd speculation as Villa star jets off to Dubai with Rashford, Maguire

Steven Gerrard is adamant that Aston Villa have no intentions of selling John McGinn after speculation that a move to Manchester United is on the cards was upped several notches.

The midfield workhorse is one of Villa’s most impressive performers this season. In 18 appearances for Villa, McGinn has scored three times, weighing in with two assists. As such, the Scotland international is one of the first names on Gerrard’s team sheet.

However, McGinn has long-term admirers in the Red Devils. Indeed, reports just lack week namechecked McGinn as £40m target for United once again.

McGinn’s seemingly never-ending energy makes him an ideal fit for Ralf Rangnick’s intense pressing style.

Now those noises about a move to Old Trafford are growing louder once again.

That’s after the Villa star was pictured heading out to Dubai as the Premier League embarks on a winter break. As per the Daily Mirror, McGinn is jetting out to the sun-drenched Middle East alongside his Villa teammate Tyrone Mings, as well as Manchester United stars Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire and Diogo Dalot.

Villa have been one of the bigger spenders so far in the January window. So far, Gerrard’s side have signed Lucas Digne, Philippe Coutinho, Kerr Smith and Robin Olsen.

And they are seemingly not finished yet with Gerrard looking to a classy Juventus star to further boost his midfield.

However, the loss of McGinn would come as a huge blow to Villa. Indeed, reports claim if a deal cannot be done this month, then a summer purchase will be explored by the Red Devils.

Gerrard not looking to sell

That though, understandably, is a scenario that Gerrard is looking to avoid. As such, he’s been speaking directly about the midfielder’s future.

“We are certainly not a club that is looking to sell. Our intention is to keep John McGinn here,” he said.

“We don’t want to be a selling club unless there is a situation, as with [Jack] Grealish [to Manchester City ], which works itself out if you like.

McGinn will cost Manchester United over £40m this summer

Manchester United will have to pay over £40m for McGinn from Aston Villa if they want the Scotland international

“I want [McGinn] to remain a Villa player and we can’t be any clearer on that. We love the player, we love the human being and we want to help him.

“We certainly see it as a compliment when our best players, or any of our players, are linked with big moves away. I think it shows they are playing at a consistent level.”

McGinn is on a contract with Villa until summer 2025.

Chadwick can see John McGinn at Man Utd

Former United winger Luke Chadwick has also been speaking about the speculation around McGinn.

“Certainly when you think about Rangnick’s style of play and that high energy, he’s got everything you’d be looking for.

“In the Championship, he and Jack Grealish were real shining lights in that Aston Villa team,” he told Caught Offside.

“Coming up to the Premier League I wasn’t personally sure how he’d get on, it’s completely different to the Championship, but he’s been fantastic.

“He’s a really good player, works his socks off, you can see the passion with which he plays. He’s got fantastic skills and looks like the sort of player who’d fit in this United team.

“I think he’s a player who’d excite the crowd, and obviously he’s been recommended by Sir Alex Ferguson which isn’t bad.”

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