Marcus Rashford is yet to get his season underway with a goal or an assist in eight appearances for Manchester United

Marcus Rashford could leave Manchester United in January amid claims Everton are discussing a move for the forward. The 28-year-old returned to Manchester in the summer after loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona offered him a fresh start following his fall out of favour under former manager Ruben Amorim.

Barcelona had the option to sign Rashford permanently for £26million but opted against a deal, despite him scoring 14 goals, providing 15 assists and winning La Liga last season. Since returning to United, he has made eight appearances without registering a goal or an assist.

Rashford missed Michael Carrick's squads for the Premier League defeat to Bournemouth and the Champions League thrashing at Como as he continues to struggle with a hip problem. Speaking ahead of the Como defeat, Carrick said: "Marcus is still feeling a hip issue that we're trying to overcome."

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While Carrick has continued to back Rashford, former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness has claimed a January move to Merseyside is being discussed. Speaking to Football Insider, he explained: "This is definitely being talked about and quite strongly, and I think that could be an interesting solution.

"Rashford did well when he was on loan at Villa and at Barcelona as well. I think it could work, and I think being close to where he is in Manchester, just along the M63, could also benefit him greatly as well.

"We've seen Jack (Grealish) moving across that way as well, and when he's fit, Jack is certainly a big asset for Everton. So I think Rashford would be a very interesting signing, and I'm hearing there's a lot of smoke here; it's definitely being discussed.

"I wouldn't be surprised to see something happening in January."

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Rashford was linked with Tottenham, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich over the summer, alongside clubs in Turkey and Saudi Arabia. However, his reported £325,000-a-week wages proved a significant obstacle to a move.

Whether Everton pursue a deal in the New Year remains to be seen after a frustrating summer in the transfer market, with several high-profile targets missed and key departures left unreplaced.

The Toffees sit 11th in the Premier League after winning two of their opening eight matches and remain in contention for a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.