Manchester United will allow one of their academy graduates to leave this month if a suitable offer is made.
The Red Devils are braced for an important January transfer window with several players linked with departures and arrivals.
Kobbie Mainoo have been made available for transfer by United with Joshua Zirkzee also attracting interest from clubs in Europe.
And while selling the aforementioned players would be a surprising decision from Manchester United’s owners, Marcus Rashford’s availability is arguably the window’s biggest talking point.
AC Milan and Juventus keen on Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford
Juventus and AC Milan are the frontrunners to sign Rashford from United.
The Serie A giants both want to strengthen their attack and hope to use Rashford’s fractured relationship with Ruben Amorim to their advantage.
Reaching an agreement won’t be easy — especially with Rashford picking up a huge £375,000-a-week at Old Trafford (Capology). There is also the type of transfer to work out — would a move be a straightforward loan or a permanent transfer?
No one knows for sure yet, but with three weeks left in the January window, there is plenty of time for United to work things out.
However, although Rashford’s representatives are already talking with both Italian sides, one of the two clubs has a more obvious need to sign the 27-year-old.
AC Milan have advantage in Rashford transfer saga
A move to the San Siro could be on the cards for Rashford due to AC Milan’s willingness to make room in their squad.
Juventus remain in the hunt for the United number 10 but their preference is to sign a player with different attacking abilities — the type of versatility Rashford’s game lacks.
“Juve need someone who can cover all three [attacking] roles but not a typical centre-forward and not just a winger but someone who starts from the wing to play as a centre-forward,” journalist Alfredo Pedulla said on his YouTube channel.
“It seems like a minor, trivial difference, but it’s a difference that exists, and therefore Juve has certainly evaluated him, they will evaluate him, but the discussions with AC Milan are more logical from the point of view of employment and utilisation.
“They [AC Milan] are more logical if we think that Rashford is 27 and if we think that in that role, Milan has two not untouchable players because Chukwueze and Okafor are not untouchable, so it would suffice to move one out and create the fit.”
Rashford potentially moving to Italy’s top flight could help him reignite his career. Regardless of whether or not he leaves and then returns to Old Trafford, the majority of fans want the Englishman to do well.
Still shy of entering his prime, this season could be the perfect time for the Manchester-born forward to pursue a new challenge as he looks to overcome adversity — and not for the first time in his career.
Since making his senior Manchester United debut in 2016, Rashford, who has three-and-a-half years left on his deal, has netted 138 goals and registered 63 assists in 426 games in all competitions.
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