Marcus Rashford could be handed Man Utd reunion as former Red Devils managerial target 'eyes move'

French title hopefuls Marseille are said to be the latest club to express a strong interest in wantaway Manchester United star Marcus Rashford in the January transfer window.

The 27-year-old forward has been frozen out of Ruben Amorim’s first team squad since mid-December and is believed to be actively seeking a move away from Old Trafford after a 20-year association with the club.

Rashford admitted in an bombshell interview with journalist Henry Winter that he was ready for a new challenge in his career after falling down the pecking order for club and country, but insisted that there would be no hard feelings between him and his boyhood club once he moves onto pastures new.

"For me, personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps,” said Rashford. "When I leave it's going to be 'no hard feelings'. If I know that a situation is already bad I'm not going to make it worse. "I've seen how other players have left in the past and I don't want to be that person. When I leave I'll make a statement and it will be from me."

The 60-time England international has struggled for form and confidence over the last 18 months, but has still attracted interest from many of Europe’s biggest clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, AS Monaco and Barcelona.

Italian heavyweights AC Milan also expressed a strong desire to sign the United academy graduate but pulled the plug on any potential deal once they became aware of Manchester City defender Kyle Walker’s availability.

Marseille are managed by former Brighton & Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi. The highly-rated Italian coach was reportedly among the frontrunners to replace Erik Ten Hag over the summer before the Old Trafford club in a dramatic U-turn opted to keep the under-fire Dutchman on board for a further four months.

Could Marseille sign Marcus Rashford?

Marseille sit second in the Ligue 1 table and are currently trailing league-leaders Paris Saint-Germain by nine points in the title race. Les Minots have ambitions of reclaiming the league title for the first time in 15 years and are believed to be interested in a move for Marcus Rashford.

Mail Sport reports that Marseille are hopeful of landing Rashford on loan until the end of the season in a move which would see the 27-year-old be reunited with a former Red Devils academy graduate in Mason Greenwood, who is currently the top scorer in Ligue 1 with 12 goals in 18 appearances.

However, the one stumbling block in the deal remains Rashford’s astronomical reported earnings of £315,000 per week. As it stands, Adrien Rabiot is reported to be the club’s highest earner at just north of £100,000 per week at present.

Where is Marcus Rashford’s preferred destination?

Rashford has attracted interest from a number of Europe’s top clubs, but is reported to have his heart set on a move to Barcelona, who according to The Athletic have freed up funds to sign the striker. Barcelona are third in La Liga with 39 points from 20 games and are trailing Real Madrid by seven points after a recent dip in form.

They are, however, on course to secure a place in the round of 16 of the Champions League after picking up an impressive 18 points from seven matches, with the most recent coming in a thrilling 5-4 triumph over Portuguese giants Benfica.

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick said when quizzed about Rashford: “I have always said that I am satisfied with what I have. The squad is doing very well and that’s what I’m focused on. The issue of the market is handled by Deco and it has been discussed, yes. We’ll see what happens, but I’m focused on the players I have, who are doing very well.”