The 27-year-old definitely needs to get out of Old Trafford as soon as possible, but is San Siro really the right destination?
Just a couple of years ago, a struggling winger quit a massive Premier League club and moved to Milan in a desperate attempt to kickstart his career. It proved an inspired choice. Right now, Christian Pulisic is in the form of his life, having just scored in both the semis and final of the Supercoppa Italiana, as AC Milan upset Juventus and then, even more impressively, city rivals Inter to claim their first trophy since winning the 2022 Serie A title.
The question now is whether Marcus Rashford might follow in Pulisic's footsteps? Whereas Pulisic was deemed surplus to requirements at Chelsea, Rashford has become an outcast at Old Trafford and is in dire need of a January transfer, as the 27-year-old has acknowledged himself.
According to the latest reports, Rashford's representatives are already in Milan discussing a possible switch to San Siro, most likely on loan until the end of the season. And while such a deal might be difficult to finalise, it's certainly easy to understand why the move is of interest to the Englishman. The Rossoneri remain one of the biggest clubs in the game and there are few more iconic places to play football than the Giuseppe Meazza. However, does this proposed transfer really make sense for either party?…
Getty Images SportIs there room for Rashford at San Siro?
It needs to be immediately acknowledged that Milan don't have an awful lot of money, and certainly not enough to sign Rashford on a permanent basis – or even just cover his wages for the duration of a six-month loan. Consequently, there's no chance of the former Stretford End icon becoming a cult hero on the Curva Sud unless United agree to subsidise his salary until the end of the season.
Truth be told, given the club's financial constraints, it's strange that Rashford has even emerged as a serious transfer target for Milan – particularly when one considers that they are not exactly lacking in wingers. On the contrary, the Rossoneri are arguably better stocked in wide areas than in any other part of the pitch.
AdvertisementGettyReplacement for Okafor?
Of course, the word is that Noah Okafor, who has been directly involved in just three goals this season, is on his way out of San Siro, with RB Leipzig his most likely destination. Samuel Chukwueze has also proven infuriatingly ineffective since joining from Villarreal in 2023, while teenager Alex Jimenez, who has been used on the left wing in recent weeks, is a full-back by trade.
Nonetheless, there are two significant obstacles standing in the way of Rashford and regular game time in a wide role at Milan, one of whom is Pulisic.
GettyUndroppable Pulisic
When Pulisic first arrived at Milan, there was some doubt over where exactly he would be deployed. After all, the American's preferred position was on the left flank, which was the sole preserve of Rafael Leao at San Siro.
However, Pulisic, to his enormous credit, has shown himself to be a fantastically versatile forward, excelling on both the right wing and as a No.10. Indeed, the United States star is now Milan's most consistent attacker and their most reliable source of goals and assists, of which he has 15 in total in all competitions this season – more than anyone else at the club despite losing four games in December to a calf problem.
Basically, there is just no way Rashford gets into the Milan attack ahead of Pulisic on current form.
Getty ImagesEnigma
Leao is a slightly different case to Pulisic. The Portuguese polarises opinions. His output and attitude have been an almost constant cause for concern this term, a topic of almost incessant debate among supporters and pundits divided over whether the club should cash in on their most valuable asset or continue trying to build a team around him.
Leao was even repeatedly benched in October by former coach Paulo Fonseca because of his substandard defensive work. However, the ex-Roma boss was subsequently sacked due to a dismal run of results in Serie A just before the turn of the year and, as Leao so thrillingly underlined with his Supercoppa heroics against Inter, he remains Milan's most talented player – and by some distance.
The Rossoneri were 2-0 down when the 25-year-old came off the bench against Inter but ended up triumphing 3-2 thanks in no small part to a typically devastating dribble from Leao that left Tammy Abraham with an injury-time tap-in to win the game.