Zlatan Ibrahimovic makes his decision on AC Milan move for Marcus Rashford

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic is pushing for AC Milan to get a deal done for Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford, although it will not be easy.

Rashford has been linked with a string of clubs as his career at Old Trafford appears to be coming to an end.

The England international has not played since a Europa League clash with Viktoria Plzen on 12 December, dropped by manager Ruben Amorim from every squad since except a Premier League meeting with Newcastle when he was an unused substitute.

The 27-year-old has said he is ‘ready for a new challenge’ but it is not obvious where that will arise.

AC Milan is one possibility and former Manchester United man Ibrahimovic is pushing for that move to be made, according to The Sun.

The iconic Swede is working in an advisory role at the Italian giants and he wants to engineer a move for his former Red Devils teammate.

Ibrahimovic was asked to clarify his slightly vague role at AC Milan, telling Sky Sport in September: ‘I am the boss and I am in charge, all the others work for me.’

There are significant difficulties with getting any deal done, notably Rashford’s enormous wages of £325,000-a-week.

AC Milan would not be able to offer him close to that amount and even a loan deal would see Manchester United having to pay half his current wages.

The Sun reports that I Rossoneri would also need to offload a player before being able to bring in Rashford, with RB Leipzig-linked Noah Okafor available for sale.

There are other clubs keen on Rashford, with the Saudi Pro League, Galatasaray, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund all credited with an interest.

Cesc Fabregas’ Como have been linked with an unlikely move, while Tottenham are also thought to be tempted by a loan deal for the Red Devils man.

There has also been talk that Rashford could be used in a blockbuster swap deal with Napoli to bring Victor Osimhen to Manchester United.

A loan deal is a possibility, although the Red Devils are believed to be open to accepting just £40m for the forward who is under contract until 2028.

Amorim has continued to insist that Rashford is in contention for a return to the first team, saying he was not involved in the draw at Liverpool last weekend due to illness.

‘At the moment he is ill,’ said Amorim at his pre-match press conference before the 2-2 draw. ‘He is not training. He is going to be out this week.’