The Rashford option goes unused.
Three days before the window opens, the groundwork is being laid, and the summer’s defining United question is Marcus Rashford. It moved on Thursday. Barcelona, where he spent last season on loan, are reported to be declining their option to sign him permanently before the deadline, after spending heavily elsewhere in attack. That decision hands the initiative to Bayern Munich, who have made their interest known. RUMOUR, for now, with no club confirmation. For United it is the cleanest route to a sale they have wanted for a year. The rest of the market is stretching its legs. Monday is when it sprints.