How Milan could line up with Rashford: Leao’s role and potential tactical tweak | OneFootball

As reports linking Milan with a possible move for England international Marcus Rashford, here is a look at how the Rossoneri could hypothetically line up if they are to strike an agreement with Manchester United this month.

Milan are reportedly discussing the possibility of bringing Rashford to San Siro on loan, but there are still several barriers to break through.

The Rossoneri are understood to be interested in a loan deal with United, but they would require the player to take a pay cut, or for his current employers to continue paying a considerable part of his €14m per season salary.

The latest reports suggest that Rashford is open to reducing his current wage packet, and that United could possibly sanction a loan deal with an option to buy. Milan, meanwhile, are looking to free up space in their attacking department by offloading Noah Okafor and/or Samuel Chukwueze.

(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Where Rashford could play in Milan’s line-up

Throughout his career, fans and pundits have often debated over the Englishman’s best position on the pitch. He has typically featured on the left wing, up front, or occasionally in a ‘second striker’ role, like with the England national team at the 2018 World Cup.

The left-wing role at Milan, however, is already a settled department, as that is the preferred position of current Rossoneri star Rafael Leao, who has been out of the line-up at times this season, but at his best, is undroppable.

Rafael Leao of AC Milan celebrates victory while wearing his winners medal following the Italian Super Cup Final between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Kingdom Arena on January 06, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Though Rashford would provide an excellent rotation option, he would be too expensive a player, and likely unwilling to be considered a reserve at Milan.

Rashford could, however, provide a completely different profile to that of Alvaro Morata up front for Sergio Conceicao’s side. While the Spaniard is considered a ‘complete’ centre-forward, Rashford would bring the pace and dynamism that the 32-year-old sometimes lacks.

Another option is a switch to a two up front system, which Paulo Fonseca occasionally experimented with during his tenure.

Milan have occasionally lined up with both Alvaro Morata and Tammy Abraham in the starting XI, like for the 2-1 win over rivals Inter earlier in the season.

Rashford has the ability to excel in a role running off the shoulder of a centre-forward like Morata, in a similar way to how England played at the 2018 World Cup, and more so in the Nations League campaign of that year, with Harry Kane playing through the middle and either Rashford or Sterling playing in the supporting role in attack.

Marcus Rashford of England (R) celebrates as he scores his team’s second goal with Harry Kane of England during the UEFA Nations League A Group Four match between Spain and England at Estadio Benito Villamarin on October 15, 2018 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Possible Milan line-ups with Rashford

(4-2-3-1, No Leao): Maignan; Emerson, Tomori/Gabbia, Thiaw, Theo H.; Fofana, Bennacer; Pulisic, Reijnders, Rashford; Morata.

(4-2-3-1, No Morata): Maignan; Emerson, Tomori/Gabbia, Thiaw, Theo H.; Fofana, Bennacer; Pulisic, Reijnders, Leao; Rashford.

(4-4-2): Maignan; Emerson, Tomori/Gabbia, Thiaw, Theo H.; Pulisic, Fofana, Reijnders, Leao; Morata, Rashford.