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Marcus Rashford’s representation are reportedly in Italy to discuss a potential loan move

Could he really be leaving this month?

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 8th January 2025

Marcus Rashford’s representatives are reportedly in Italy to discuss the possibility of a loan move for the Manchester United player.

The Wythenshawe winger has been left out of the matchday squad for five of Man United’s last six games, including the derby against rivals Liverpool this past weekend (in which he has scored multiple times), as head coach Rúben Amorim continues to assess his squad.

As a result of Rashford‘s absence, talk of a potential move away from his boyhood club has once again ramped up now the January transfer window is open, though there has been speculation surrounding his future at the club prior to his recent omission.

Although there are several clubs thought to be monitoring the Rashford situation at Old Trafford, it looks as though AC Milan is one of those leading the chase for the 27-year-old via a loan deal.

Detailed in an article by journalist Laurie Whitwell, along with transfer expert David Ornstein and The Athletic‘s resident Serie A writer James Horncastle, the red half of Milan is one of the teams most interested in trying to sign Rashford as early as this month.

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According to the piece, the number ten’s brother and agent Dwaine Maynard flew to Milan on Tuesday to discuss the prospect of a transfer, though talks are still said to be in the “preliminary stage”.

It’s unclear whether an option to buy is on the table but it is claimed has already turned down offers from Saudi Arabia.

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This comes after Rashford gave the first real indication that a move away, be it on loan or permanently, and “a new challenge” might be on the cards in an extended interview with football writer Henry Winter.

However, the Italian side has a pretty healthy selection of players in Rashford’s position, not least of all their pacey and often prolific forward, Rafael Leão, who is also considered one of the most in-demand attackers even despite some injury setbacks upsetting his rhythm of late.

With that in mind, Whitwell goes on to explain that as well as PSG’s well-publicised and long-standing interest in the United and England star – though he was left out of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad – other European suitors include fellow Italian team Juventus and German outfit Borussia Dortmund.

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Dortmund famously took Jadon Sancho back on loan for the remainder of the 23/24 season when the youngster ended up in similar ousted circumstances when Erik ten Hag was still in charge.

If rumours are to be believed, even Premier League rivals Arsenal are supposedly ‘keeping an eye on’ Rashford, especially since the United are understood to be facing financial pressures regarding PSR (profit and sustainability rules) and FFP (financial fair play).

Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, his INEOS board and the manager himself have all made it clear that player sales would need to be made to even consider adding new names to the squad.

At the club since the age of seven, the Red Devils is all Rashford has ever known and despite a stunning breakthrough campaign as a teenager and several strong years as a first-team talisman since, including his best-ever statistical season (30 goals, nine assists) in 2022/23, his performances have been under fire in more recent times.

Considered a somewhat streaky player who tends to enjoy impressive ‘purple patches’ when he is in form, there’s no question as to his talent and natural ability when at the top of his game, but Amorim evidently isn’t 100% happy with his level of application at present.

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That being said, the United boss did issue Rashford with a rallying cry of sorts, declaring this new project as “the biggest challenge” of all and insisting that he wants nothing more than to see the Manc sporting star back to his best.

On the other hand, football fans will have already seen how moves to Italy have benefitted former MUFC players like a currently red-hot Scott McTominay and Napoli teammate Romelu Lukaku, who returned to Inter Milan back in 2022 – who Matteo Darmian also joined to become a title-winner – before switching to once again find his goalscoring boots with the league leaders.

What do you think, Reds – would a loan move to Italy suit Rashford right now? Alternatively, would you rather him stay and fight for his place or sell him permanently?

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Overlap (screenshot via YouTube)

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Nearly 40 fans arrested after city centre clashes and Old Trafford chaos during Man United vs Rangers

Danny Jones Danny Jones Rangers fans arrests Old Trafford Man United

Dozens of fans were arrested following numerous clashes at Old Trafford and in central Manchester before, during and after Man United’s game against Rangers this week.

The Red Devils took on the Scottish side in a crucial Europa League fixture on Thursday night, with nearly 4,000 Glaswegians making the trip down to Manchester.

After reports of violence and disorder in the city centre a couple of hours before kick-off, there were also said to be issues regarding Rangers supporters trying to enter the ground with fake tickets as well as instances of ‘tragedy chanting’ regarding club disasters.

Worse still, further chaos was sparked after away fans infiltrated the home end, with security and actions from stewards being criticised around the stadium.

Sharing an update on Friday morning, Greater Manchester Police detailed that a 450-strong officer presence saw a total of 39 arrests made in connection with the fixture.

26 were detained for violent disorder after fighting broke out around Ancoats at approximately 6pm as the Rangers fans were being prepared for their escort towards Old Trafford.

Other arrests included drug offences, drunk and disorderly behaviour, tragedy chanting, as well as assaulting a steward inside the ground.

There were also continued problems regarding general safety, organisation and queuing around the turnstiles, which has been a recurring issue at the footballing arena of late, with many fans struggling to make it into the ground in time for kick-off.

Although the away fan presence was clearly an exacerbating factor, many United fans have once again called out the club for failing to address the issue which saw added congestion not only around the concourse but even in the stands in this instance.

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Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes, match commander for the game, said: “These high-profile fixtures are always exciting occasions, but they also naturally present challenges to ensure that the thousands of spectators can enjoy the game safely and to minimise disruption for the wider public.

“Last night, we did see some incidents before the game which required a prompt response from our officers to prevent any further disorder and harm. Arrests were made and further disorder was prevented.

“An operation like this takes weeks, if not months, of planning with both clubs and all our local partners. Generally, the crowds have been really well-behaved and the vast majority have had a safe and enjoyable time watching the game in Manchester.”

United went on to narrowly win the game in the 11th hour thanks to a stoppage-time goal from captain Bruno Fernandes to spare their blushes but with lots of tough results and unpopular decisions happening around the club, they’ll need more than a last-gasp 2-1 win over Rangers to improve the atmosphere.

You can see the highlights from the game HERE.

Manchester United reinstate season ticket of fan with dementia after fury over cancellation
Poorly placed Rangers fans being arrested over fake tickets isn’t the only admission issue they’ve had in the past week.

Featured Images — GMP (via X)

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Manchester City complete the signing of highly-rated forward Omar Marmoush

Danny Jones Danny Jones Man City sign Omar Marmoush from Frankfurt

Manchester City have completed their third signing of the January transfer window as Omar Marmoush is officially a blue.

Joining Man City from Eintracht Frankfurt on a deal said to be worth around £59 million, he arrives at the Etihad just 48 hours after new defensive duo Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis were also revealed.

Agreeing to a four-and-a-half-year contract, Marmoush was the second-highest scorer in this current Bundesliga campaign (15), boasting 20 goals and 14 assists across all competitions already, so City fans can certainly expect plenty of attacking threat.

The fast and dynamic forward has mainly been deployed as a striker for Frankfurt but can play as inserted winger on either flank, giving Pep Guardiola‘s side another option.

Donning one of football’s most iconic shirts with the number seven (which has been vacant ever since Joao Cancelo left the club), the 25-year-old landed in Manchester with plenty of excitement as City were by no means the only Premier League outfit looking to secure his services.

Both Arsenal and Liverpool were said to be monitoring his situation as one of the most sought-after targets in Europe – the latter obviously rumoured to have expressed a vested interest given the impending departure of their talisman, Mo Salah.

‘The Egyptian King’ has been one of if not the best player in the league this season with 18 goals and a baker’s dozen assists so far but informed the leaders in this year’s title race that this would be his last year at the club.

Those sentimental enough amongst the red half of Merseyside were naturally hoping his compatriot Marmoush might make an ideal replacement and follow in the 32-year-old’s footsteps for the years to come, but the blue half of Manchester seem to have led the chase right from the off.

Nevertheless, Salah has more than left his mark on English football and his fellow national teammate has already been given the perfect nickname.

Speaking in his first interview as a City player, Marmoush said: “Representing my country at a big club like this was something I always dreamed of. [Now] my dreams are becoming a reality of being [the first Egyptian] at Manchester City and I hope I can keep up this level.

“The Premier League is for us in Egypt the biggest league and the most followed league because of my team-mates like Mo Salah and other Egyptian players that have played in the Premier League.

“Most of the players growing up, our dream is to be here and that is why it makes me so happy that I am here to reach this beautiful league.”

Elsewhere at the club, a loan deal for Kyle Walker to join AC Milan with an option to buy also looks to be all but done. Happy with the transfer business done so far, Blues?

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Featured Images — Manchester City (via X)

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