Marcus Rashford has emerged as a potential loan target for AC Milan, with the Serie A club expressing interest in securing the forward’s services. However, any deal hinges on Manchester United agreeing to cover a significant portion of Rashford’s hefty salary, which stands at approximately £365,000 per week. The situation remains uncertain as United are not inclined to pay a large part of his wage, especially given that Rashford is the club’s highest-paid player. Despite this, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who oversees United’s football policy, may see a loan move as beneficial for all parties, including head coach Ruben Amorim.
Rashford’s future at United has become increasingly uncertain after a series of struggles under Amorim. The 27-year-old was left out of four consecutive matchday squads, reportedly due to “training reasons.” Although he was brought back for the team’s recent 2-0 defeat to Newcastle, he remained an unused substitute. Additionally, Rashford was unavailable for the 2-2 draw at Liverpool due to illness. These developments have led to speculation that Rashford may be seeking a new challenge, a sentiment he expressed last month.
This situation mirrors that of Jadon Sancho, who was loaned out to Borussia Dortmund last January after a fallout with former manager Erik ten Hag. Sancho’s departure was seen as a way to ease tensions and give him an opportunity to showcase his talents before a potential permanent transfer. This summer, Chelsea signed him on loan with an obligation to buy for £25 million, signaling the end of his time at Old Trafford. A similar move for Rashford could be in the cards, with the club potentially looking to offload him in the summer transfer window, when he will have three years left on his contract.
There is also ongoing interest from other clubs, including Napoli, who have shown a long-standing interest in Rashford. However, it is believed that United would be surprised if Napoli made a formal offer for the player in the near future.
In addition to Rashford’s potential exit, United are also considering the future of forward Joshua Zirkzee. Juventus have expressed interest in taking Zirkzee on loan, with coach Thiago Motta, who previously worked with the player at Bologna, keen to bring him to Turin. Zirkzee joined United in the summer for £34 million but has struggled to make a significant impact under Amorim. While United’s official stance is that Amorim wants Zirkzee to stay, the club’s financial priorities may force them to reconsider, especially if they are unable to offload players before bringing in new signings.
United’s approach to the January transfer window will likely be shaped by their need to balance the books, with the club aiming to strengthen the squad while also addressing the potential exits of key players. The situation surrounding Rashford and Zirkzee will be closely monitored as the window progresses, with both players potentially playing pivotal roles in United’s transfer strategy.
