Marcus Rashford’s turbulent tenure at Manchester United could soon come to an end, with AC Milan reportedly interested in signing the out-of-favour forward. Former United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, now working in an advisory role with the Italian giants, is reportedly leading the push for Milan to secure Rashford’s services.
The 27-year-old has found himself on the periphery under Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim. Rashford has not played since a Europa League fixture against Viktoria Plzen on December 12 and has been omitted from all matchday squads since—bar one Premier League clash with Newcastle, where he remained an unused substitute.
In recent interviews, Rashford has expressed his desire for a “new challenge,” fueling speculation over his next move.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who played alongside Rashford at Manchester United, is keen to reunite with the England international at AC Milan. According to The Sun, the iconic Swede is advocating for Milan to make a move, despite the financial complexities involved.
When asked about his role at AC Milan, Ibrahimovic once humorously stated: “I am the boss and I am in charge; all the others work for me.” Now, it seems the self-proclaimed “boss” is focusing his efforts on bringing Rashford to the San Siro.
AC Milan faces significant hurdles in completing any deal for Rashford. The forward earns a staggering £325,000-a-week at Manchester United, a figure well beyond Milan’s budget. Even a potential loan move would require United to cover at least half of his wages.
Milan would also need to sell a player to free up resources, with RB Leipzig-linked Noah Okafor reportedly available for transfer.
Rashford’s situation has caught the attention of several clubs across Europe and beyond. The Saudi Pro League, Galatasaray, Juventus, and Borussia Dortmund have all been linked with the England star. Tottenham Hotspur is reportedly exploring a loan move, while Napoli could consider a blockbuster swap deal involving Victor Osimhen.
Even Cesc Fabregas’ Serie B side, Como, has been mentioned as a long-shot contender for Rashford’s signature.
Despite Rashford’s struggles, Manchester United may be open to offloading him, with reports suggesting the Red Devils would accept a transfer fee of around £40m. However, a loan move remains a possibility, particularly for clubs unable to meet his current wage demands.
As Rashford’s career crossroads approaches, the prospect of a move to AC Milan under Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s guidance offers an intriguing narrative. For now, however, significant challenges remain before any deal can be finalized.