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The January transfer window will be a decisive one for Marcus Rashford as it may spell the end of his Manchester United career.
Rashford grew up close to Old Trafford, joining the club as a seven-year-old and over the past 20 years has progressed into a modern hero of the club. Unfortunately he has faced a rocky journey across a generally tricky period for Man United, now it seems the pathway will split.
Ready for ‘a new challenge’, the opening of the transfer window has presented the attacker with different options to seek what he desires most away from Ruben Amorim’s new project.
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His brother and agent Dwaine Maynard reportedly undertook initial meetings with AC Milan earlier this week to discuss the feasibility of the transfer. They are just one of a number of clubs who are named suitors, including those in Turkey and Saudi Arabia already knocked out of the running.
However, the Rossoneri’s ability to match the 27-year-old’s current £325k-per-week wages has been called into question. Italian media are also acknowledging this, though in a rather positive light.
Gazzetta dello Sport write: “Marcus Rashford was one of those off-limits profiles – or rather: one that you don’t even consider – before United and their coach Amorim decided they could do without him.
“Therefore, invaluable in an attacking department where, especially on the wings, new blood needs to be found since Chukwueze has not kept his summer promises and premises.”
The publication say Rashford’s current earnings would work for Milan until the end of the season, though if he is to move permanently then he must become accepting of lesser terms.
As diligent as Milan are, it is said they have identified Sporting CP winger Trincao as a cheaper second-choice signing.
Corriere dello Sport add: “Marcus Rashford at Milan, is it possible? Yes. Even after yesterday’s first meeting, more exploratory than anything else, between the player’s brother-agent Dwaine Maynard and the Rossoneri management, the negotiations have remained on track, without receiving any jolts, either positive or negative.”
They say that the opening talks held by Maynard and Milan have resulted in another meeting booked for the coming days.
Debating Rashford’s tactical balance in Sergio Conceicao’s squad, it is explained that he would have to accept a role as a sole striker in a 4-3-3 – his favoured left-wing berth locked down by Rafael Leao – or as a partner to Alvaro Morata in a 4-4-2 system.
Local Milan publication Corriere dela Serra question whether the Englishman would be an ‘opportunity or mistake’, while national paper Repubblica round off the latest Rashford reports by going as far to suggest he has settled on the San Siro as his next destination.