Juventus have reportedly turned down the opportunity to sign Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford. The Serie A outfit are instead focusing on a deal for Red Devils flop Joshua Zirkzee.
Rashford has been excluded from Ruben Amorim‘s matchday squad for United’s last four matches. That is despite the club suffering three consecutive defeats since their triumph over Manchester City on December 15.
The 27-year-old’s United career appears to be over and he could be set for a sad exit from Old Trafford over the coming weeks. It is claimed that various agents have been offering the exiled England forward to various European clubs.
But the Sun reports that Juventus have rejected the opportunity to sign Rashford in January. Head coach Thiago Motta is said to be hesitant at the prospect of a deal for the reported £350,000 star.
Instead, Motta is much more keen to land struggling forward Zirkzee over the next few weeks. He managed the Dutchman at Bologna before they parted ways to different clubs last summer.
Zirkzee has struggled to slot into United’s systems under Amorim and the Portuguese coach’s predecessor Erik ten Hag. The 23-year-old has not looked a natural fit in the Premier League and has scored only three Premier League goals in 18 appearances.
Rasmus Hojlund seems to be preferred as Amorim’s centre-forward, potentially leaving Zirkzee surplus to requirements. The £36.5million summer signing retains a strong reputation in Serie A and Motta reportedly believes he can help him thrive, just as he did after signing him for Bologna in 2022.
As for Rashford, it seems unlikely that he will be reintegrated into Amorim’s first team any time soon. The United boss previously suggested that his side are better with Rashford involved. However, he has now implied that the attacker has shown little desire to improve his professionalism.
“It’s always the same reason it’s going to be,” Amorim told Amazon Prime after United’s 2-0 defeat by Wolves. “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.”
Asked if Rashford has shown anything different since being dropped earlier this month, Amorim bluntly responded: “If he is not here you can make up your mind.”
Rashford seems set to miss out with United facing tough Premier League matches against Newcastle and Liverpool. Amorim, whose side have slipped to 14th, will also be without the suspended Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte for the visit of Newcastle to Old Trafford on Monday.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk