3 European clubs plot loan move for Man Utd exile Marcus Rashford | OneFootball

Marcus Rashford could have a number of options to choose from if a departure from Manchester United, even just on loan, comes to pass this month.

Rashford hasn't played for United since 12 December when he started a Europa League victory against Viktoria Plzen and was withdrawn after only 56 minutes. The 27-year-old was dropped ahead of the Manchester derby three days later, after which he went public with a willingness to embrace a "new challenge". The academy graduate was ultimately omitted from four successive matchday squads.

Rashford did return to the bench for the 2024 closer against Newcastle United, but didn't appear, before illness ruled him out of training in the buildup to a 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday.

There is every chance that he could wind up staying with United. But The Athletic notes that "interest is building", with talks being held to establish what the viable options are, and Borussia Dortmund have now joined a list of suitors weighing up a January loan move. Juventus and AC Milan are two other European heavyweights on Rashford's tail, as well as unnamed Premier League clubs.

Rashford started the Ruben Amorim era on fire / Visionhaus/GettyImages

Dortmund are at least well versed in dealing with United, albeit before the new sporting hierarchy assumed control, having sold Jadon Sancho in 2021 and taken him back on loan last year.

A major hurdle standing in the way of any loan would be the wages that Rashford earns at Old Trafford, and what proportion is covered by the prospective other club. United would understandably want it to be as much as possible, but it could be a problem.

Rashford's own preference is likely to point him in the direction of the club he thinks gives him the best chance of getting his career back on track, especially with a new England cycle now beginning. It means there are lots of moving parts and they all must align.

At his very best, Rashford is a 30-goal-per-season forward. He hasn't been able to replicate that kind of form over the last 18 months but, even as recently as the start of the Ruben Amorim era, he showcased an ability to score by netting three times in the new coach's first two games.