AC Milan eye Man Utd duo as shock loan alternatives to Marcus Rashford | OneFootball

AC Milan have reportedly given up their pursuit of Marcus Rashford and are instead targeting his Manchester United teammates Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirzkee.

The Italian giants were thought to be the first European club to table a formal offer for Rashford after it became clear that the England international was keen on leaving Old Trafford. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, an advisor to Milan and Rashford's former United teammate, did nothing to dampen speculation either.

However, the winger's lofty pay packet - which is reportedly in excess of £300,000-per-week - has ultimately priced Milan out of a move, according to ESPN.

Sergio Conceicao's side haven't given up their pursuit of attacking reinforcements and could instead look to Zirkzee or Hojlund as a cheaper alternative. The pair of strikers have both struggled for goals this season, scoring just five in the Premier League between them (which is fewer than Jorgen Strand Larsen has managed on his own for a relegation-battling Wolves side).

Rasmus Hojlund (left) and Joshua Zirkzee have both struggled for Man Utd this season / Carl Recine/GettyImages

If Milan cannot prise either striker away from Manchester, they have also shown an interest in Chelsea's out-of-favour forward, Joao Felix.

Any move for Rashford would also have been complicated by his nationality, as Milan can only register four non-EU players. Manchester City full-back Kyle Walker is expected to fill up the remaining slot, although another berth could be opened if English centre-back Fikayo Tomori leaves San Siro. In that scenario, the Serie A outfit would consider Feyenoord's Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez.

Rashford may not be on his way to Milan, but it looks increasingly likely that he will not remain in Manchester after the winter window closes. The forward's representatives have held firm talks with the club last week and Borussia Dortmund are thought to be willing to sign Rashford in a permanent deal.

Ruben Amorim was pressed on the forward's continued absence following the weekend's defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion and showed no signs of welcoming him back into the fold any time soon.

"No matter what, I'm not going to put in a player I don't believe is best for the team," Amorim said.