Man Utd cease Marcus Rashford becoming a member of three Prem rivals as Sir Jim Ratcliffe blocks strikes

EXCLUSIVE: Sir Jim Ratcliffe has intervened to prevent wantaway striker Marcus Rashford from joining three of Manchester United’s rivals after his fallout with Ruben Amorim

Manchester United bosses want to block Marcus Rashford from joining another English rival.

Rashford has told United he wants to quit Old Trafford to seek a new challenge elsewhere. The England forward has been axed from Ruben Amorim‘s squad, and is desperate to leave United in this month’s transfer window.

A host of clubs have shown interest in signing the 27-year-old on-loan for the remainder of the season. These include the likes of Tottenham, West Ham and Chelsea.

But it’s understood United co-owner and INEOS chemicals group chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe is not willing to allow Rashford to go to one of his club’s immediate rivals.

With United facing the prospect of having to fund a significant chunk of Rashford’s £350,000-a-week wages, Ratcliffe is not prepared to do this and risk seeing one of his own players damage United’s chances of securing European qualification this season.

Rashford has been offered deals to join clubs in both Saudi Arabia and America’s MLS. But he wants to remain in Europe, to boost is chances of getting back into the England squad.

AC Milan are now leading the race to sign Rashford on a short term deal. The Italian giants have held talks with Rashford and his representatives, although no agreement has been reached between both clubs.

Rashford, who has scored seven goals in 24 appearances on all competitions this season, has not played for United since December 12.

The Manchester-born star, who has 138 goals in 426 games at Old Trafford, is the second longest serving player in the current United squad behind only Luke Shaw.