Marcus Rashford closes on Man Utd transfer exit after timely message before Leeds fixture

Shortly before Manchester United faced Leeds United in their first pre-season friendly in Stockholm, Marcus Rashford took to social media. Rather curious timing, you might say.

Rashford is not part of the 29-man United squad in Sweden for the fixture. The England international, back with the club after falling out with Ruben Amorim and spending the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, is one of five senior stars who make up part of the so-called 'bomb squad'.

He and the other four - Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia - have all been told they won't train with the first team as they explore opportunities to leave Old Trafford. The fivesome are able to use the club's Carrington training ground, but have been asked to do so when the first-team and head coach Amorim have headed home.

Rashford is keen to find a move abroad. Barcelona is his preference and the two clubs are in negotiations, with Hansi Flick keen on a deal being done after speaking to the 27-year-old.

An offer has been made over a potential loan deal with an option to buy at the end of the season. That suits Rashford and may be the best that United can get. As it stands, they've agreed, with talks now between all sides looking to nail down terms.

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Rashford has been very keen in recent weeks to share images on social media of himself putting in the hard graft in the gym. His latest, on Saturday shortly before the Leeds fixture, was simply entitled: "The lab".

It marks the third such upload featuring clips of Rashford's workout regime since the beginning of last week. Several United teammates have responded to these posts - and the latest was no different.

Antony, Diogo Dalot, Ethan Wheatley, Godwill Kikonki, Joe Hugill and Joshua Zirkzee all gave the latest upload a like.

Antony, like Rashford, has been omitted from the squad to take on Leeds. The same applies to Ethan Wheatley and Joshua Zirkzee.

United say Zirkzee, the £34million summer signing 12 months ago, is dealing with a "small issue".

Several of the club's former players have also shown Rashford their support. They include Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Brandon Williams, Donny van de Beek, Facundo Pellistri and Jesse Lingard.

Andre Onana, Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho, Lisandro Martinez, Matheus Cunha, Matthijs de Ligt and Rasmus Hojlund have liked previous posts too.

Rashford has been sharing clips of his off-season training, including sprints and padel sessions. "The work don't stop! Let's go," he wrote alongside a video on the track.

A more recent post declared: "Putting in the work with family and friends before the serious stuff starts back up."

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