David Ornstein drops 'one to watch' Marcus Rashford transfer verdict as Manchester United January repeat possible

Marcus Rashford could be set to leave Manchester United next month and reports have suggested a mid-season loan exit could prove ‘sensible’.

Speculation surrounding Rashford has intensified this month, following his omission from the United squad for the dramatic 2-1 derby-day win over Manchester City. He and Alejandro Garnacho were both left out due to simple selection decisions, as new manager Ruben Amorim admitted.

But while Garnacho worked his way back into the first-team picture, Rashford admitted just days after that derby win that he was ‘ready for a new challenge’. Although it isn’t fully clear, that ‘new challenge’ is now expected to be away from Old Trafford, particularly given he has not featured for his boyhood club since, despite being fully fit.

And now the Athletic journalist David Ornstein has tipped Rashford as ‘one to watch’ going into the January window, although a mid-season exit might not be straightforward. There are concerns over a lack of serious interest, with the 27-year-old’s poor form and huge wages making a permanent move unlikely.

But Ornstein suggests a six-month loan deal, potentially with an option or obligation to buy, could prove more ‘sensible’. He adds that while there is currently ‘no indication’ from the club of such an avenue being explored, they have previously benefitted from sending out-of-favour players away temporarily in a bid to increase demand.

United sent both Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood out on loan last season, with the pair impressing at Borussia Dortmund and Getafe respectively. And while neither loan club opted for a permanent deal, interest came from elsewhere and the pair’s permanent exits will bring in more than £50million combined, once Chelsea’s £25m obligation to buy Sancho is triggered in June.

Rashford transfer latest

Old Trafford chiefs aren’t expected to sanction any kind of cut-price deal for Rashford, despite his continued absence from the first-team picture, and so finding a suitor in January could prove difficult. One team reported to be keen on the Reds academy prospect are Napoli, with the emergence of an intriguing deal.

Reports earlier this week claimed Victor Osimhen had been ‘offered’ to United and his season-long loan at Galatasaray could be cut short next month. Parent club Napoli are thought to be keen on Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, with the Serie A giants open to a swap deal.

United have long been linked with interest in Osimhen but with finances tight, affording his significantly reduced £60m price-tag could still prove difficult. And so the opportunity to reduce that cash fee significantly by sending a player to Italy could be tempting.

The Reds travel to Wolves on Thursday evening and unless there has been a major change over Christmas, Rashford could miss out once again. Speaking ahead of last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth, having confirmed the forward’s omission for a third straight game, Amorim told Sky Sports: "It is my decision, and it always will be. I want to see the best of my players, and I try different things with different players, so that is my focus."