Despite the financial obstacles, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has insisted that he will try to work out a way of bringing Marcus Rashford to AC Milan this season.
Rashford has not featured for Manchester United since his side's 2-1 win against Viktoria Plzen on December 12 in the Europa League.
The Red Devils have since played six times, though boss Ruben Amorim has presided over four losses, one draw and just one victory in that period.
Rashford has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this January, and senior AC Milan adviser Ibrahimovic spoke to Sky Italia about his desire to bring the winger to Italy, saying: "I know him very well, I played with him when he was young, now he is an adult and established. He has done great things with United and today that is his club.
"How to convince him [to join]? Milan is one of the biggest clubs in the world, everyone wants to play here. It is a difficult operation, we will see if we can talk to him."
Rashford has been frozen out of United's plans ever since his bombshell interview in December when he announced that he was ready to leave the club.
© Imago
Would a move to AC Milan make sense for Rashford and Manchester United?
Milan head coach Sergio Conceicao refused to rule out a January move for Rashford, though it remains to be seen how the winger would fit in the team's XI given Rafael Leao also prefers to play on the left of attack.
Rashford does have experience of operating as a central striker - though he does not excel with his back to goal - and perhaps Conceicao would encourage his team to play in behind opposition defences at every opportunity, making the most of the Englishman's electric pace.
The 27-year-old's wages could also prove to be a stumbling block in any deal considering he is reportedly earning in excess of £300k a week, a figure that is likely to be beyond Milan's financial limits.
A transfer this winter could materialise if United were willing to subsidise some of Rashford's salary in a loan deal, but such a deal may not help the Red Devils' own precarious financial situation.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has implemented a number of controversial cost-cutting measures during his time as Manchester United co-owner, and he is reportedly unlikely to give manager Amorim significant funds to improve his squad in January.
Selling Rashford would help the club avoid falling foul of the Premier League's strict spending rules, especially as the Englishman would count as home-grown and any sale would be classified as pure profit.
A permanent move would also take Rashford away from what has at times been a heated atmosphere at Old Trafford, but unless United or the player are willing to compromise, it is difficult to see a resolution being reached anytime soon.
Lewis Nolan
