Marcus Rashford is being targeted by Milan regarding a potential loan, with any deal dependent on Manchester United paying a sizeable portion of the forward’s salary of about £365,000 a week.
Whether United are willing to do so is yet to be decided. It is not their preference to provide a considerable percentage of Rashford’s wage, which makes him United’s highest-paid player. But Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who controls football policy, may decide Rashford departing for the rest of the season is in the best interests of all parties, particularly the head coach, Ruben Amorim.
The 27-year-old has fallen out of favour under Amorim, who recently left him out of four match squads for “training reasons”. Although Rashford was reinstated for last week’s 2-0 home loss to Newcastle he remained an unused substitute and was ill for Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool. Last month Rashford stated he was “ready for a new challenge”.
Jadon Sancho moved to Borussia Dortmund on loan last January after a disagreement with Erik ten Hag that led Amorim’s predecessor to exile the winger from the first-team squad. Sancho’s departure eased tensions and kept him in the shop window. This summer Chelsea signed him on loan for the season with an obligation to buy for £25m.
Although Amorim and Rashford have not fallen out, Ratcliffe may decide a similar move would help United to sell the England international in the close season, when he will have three years on his contract. Napoli retain an interest in Rashford but it is understood the United hierarchy would be surprised if it was firmed up with a formal offer.
Another Serie A club, Juventus, are interested in taking Joshua Zirkzee on loan. They are coached by Thiago Motta, who worked with the forward at Bologna before Zirkzee joined United in July for £34m.
United’s official stance is that Amorim wishes him to remain but, given that the club ideally have to sell before strengthening, a serious approach would be countenanced. After the Liverpool draw, Amorim said: “I want to keep Josh because he gives everything and he’s trying in training but we don’t know. The window is open and we will see what happens.”
Rasmus Højlund was seen limping away from Anfield and Matthijs de Ligt appeared to have strapping on a leg but there is not thought to be any concern regarding their availability for Sunday’s FA Cup third-round trip to Arsenal.
