Juventus REJECT offer to sign Man Utd’s Marcus Rashford with Italian giants more interested in Joshua Zirkzee transfer
JUVENTUS have turned down an offer for Manchester United misfit Marcus Rashford.
But incredibly, the Italian giants are more interested in the striker’s Old Trafford team-mate Joshua Zirkzee.
Rashford, left out of Rubin Amorim’s squad for a fourth successive time in the 2-0 Boxing Day loss to Wolves, wants to leave United and is being offered by various agents around Europe.
Juventus boss Thiago Motta is on the look-out for January reinforcements and while he is not keen on Rashford, he wants to land Zirkzee from United, the player he managed at Bologna last season.
The Dutch forward has struggled since his £36.5million summer move from Bologna.
He has scored only four times in 26 appearances although only 10 of them have been starts.
Zirkzee, 23, has struggled in English football but his reputation remains strong in Serie A.
Motta believes he could help him flourish as a player, having worked so closely with him after signing him from Bayern Munich in 2022.
Yet United are unlikely to be willing to suffer a financial hit on a player so soon after shelling out a considerable sum for the forward.
Despite Amorim claiming Rashford still has a future at the club, United would be willing to offload the England international.
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Yet despite Rashford being offered to several teams, including Barcelona, both the transfer fee and his £350,000-a-week wages are a huge stumbling block.
Amorim delivered his most ominous verdict yet on Rashford’s future after United’s woeful defeat at the Molineux on Thursday.
Asked if Rashford has shown anything different since being left out, Amorim replied: “If he is not here you can make up your mind.
“It’s always the same reason it’s going to be.
“We have to be the same professionals, I have to be the same guy winning or losing.
“Losing, I have to be stronger so I will continue with my idea until the end.”
Juve coach Motta, though, could still sign another Englishman and that is Milan centre-back Fikayo Tomori for about £20m.
Man Utd ratings vs Wolves
By Ken Lawrence
WOLVES landed a shock Boxing Day knockout as Manchester United’s struggles continued.
The 2-0 defeat means Ruben Amorim has won just two of the seven Premier League games he has taken charge of.
United find themselves 14th in the table and today were not helped by Bruno Fernandes’ red card and Andre Onana letting one in direct from a corner.
Here is how SunSport rated the performances…
ANDRE ONANA: 4
He needed to make an agile save from Jorgen Strand Larsen in the first half, but badly misjudged the flight of Cunha’s corner for the opening goal – his claim that he was obstructed by Matt Doherty was rejected.
LENY YORO: 5
Recalled but booked after only four minutes for a foul on Cunha, so he was walking on eggshells and was tested by Wolves throughout. Subbed just after the hour mark.
HARRY MAGUIRE: 6
The England defender did his best to keep United in the game when they were under pressure for long periods – at least he helped to stem the tide until the dying seconds and had a header on target in stoppage time.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ: 6
Teamed up well with Maguire to stop Wolves from winning this more easily, he stood his ground and produced some important challenges in the latter stages before Wolves caught him on the break with the last action of the game.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI: 5
Tenacious and determined, but was one of several players given a torrid time by the best player on the pitch – Cunha.
MANUEL UGARTE: 5
Dispossesed too easily at times, struggled against a lively Wolves attack and was eventually taken off as one of Amorim’s subs following Fernandes’ red card.
KOBBIE MAINOO: 5
Looked a threat early on, created some good openings, but he was booked after the break as United looked short on ideas. Faded and was subbed.
DIOGO DALOT: 6
Brought a tremendous save from Jose Sa in the first half in what was a rare bright spot for United – but he had no major influence on a poor team display.
AMAD DIALLO: 5
Lacked awareness of his team-mates sometimes and looked a shadow of the player who turned the Manchester derby around less than two weeks ago.
BRUNO FERNANDES: 3
Sent off early in the second half for a second yellow after a challenge on Nelson Semedo, but the captain had cut a frustrated figure before that.
RASMUS HOJLUND: 5
Became visibly annoyed at times at a lack of service from his team-mates, he had no joy up front and was subbed with 10 minutes left.
SUBS
Casemiro (for Mainoo, 63 mins): 6
Christian Eriksen (for Ugate, 63 mins): 6
Antony (for Yoro, 63 mins): 6
Alejandro Garnacho (for Amad, 79 mins): 5
Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 79 mins): 5