Saudi clubs targeting £40m Man Utd star in potential Ronaldo repeat

Manchester United supporters are still riding high after their comeback victory over local rivals Manchester City on Sunday. However, the win was achieved without one key player, who now appears destined for a January exit.

According to reports, United are open to offers for Marcus Rashford, with Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad expressing interest in a potential £40 million deal. This situation bears similarities to Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure last season, when off-field issues led to his mid-season move to Saudi Arabia.

Rashford has struggled for form this campaign, scoring just 4 goals in 15 Premier League appearances. His drop-off from last season’s 30-goal haul has been stark. Disciplinary problems have also surfaced, with the England international left out of the squad completely for the Manchester derby.

At 27 years old and having come through United’s academy, Rashford’s potential exit would mark the end of an era at Old Trafford. However, a £40 million fee could provide new manager Ruben Amorim with funds to reshape the squad in January.

While losing a homegrown talent is disappointing, Rashford’s form and off-field issues mean a fresh start may benefit all parties. United will hope to avoid a messy exit like Ronaldo’s, but appear willing to cash in on their misfiring forward if the right offer arrives from Saudi Arabia.