may inadvertently free from his hell before the transfer deadline. Rashford is widely expected to leave Old Trafford but he is running out of time to complete a winter deal.

The 27-year-old forward risks sitting in the stands for the remainder of the season if he does not leave before Monday. He has been excluded from Ruben Amorim's matchday squad for all but one of their last 12 games.

Barcelona were strongly linked with a move for Rashford but a deal. That may change, though, and it is all thanks to United's rivals City.

According to transfer expert , City have made a formal approach to Porto for the former Barca midfielder Nico Gonzalez. Written into the 23-year-old's contract with the Portuguese club is a £50m release clause.

It is claimed that Barca will earn 40 per cent of any profit Porto make on Gonzalez. That could earn the Spanish outfit around £15m and potentially free up funds to help them land Rashford, even on an initial loan deal until the end of the season.

Rashford's future at United currently looks bleak. Earlier this week, Amorim suggested that he would rather pick his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach over the England international. The Portuguese tactician has criticised Rashford's work ethic on the training ground.

Monaco, Aston Villa and Borussia Dortmund have also been linked with a move for Rashford. His reported £325,000-per-week salary remains a stumbling block for any clubs hoping to complete a deal.

Despite repeatedly leaving him, out Amorim has opened the door to Rashford returning to the United squad.

"Imagine a talent like Rashford, our team should be so much better with him - but he has to change," Amorim said on Wednesday.

"If he changes, we are more than welcome [to include him] - and we need it. But in this moment we have to set some standards. We are waiting for Rashford, if he wants it really bad.

"You want to make it personal, I have nothing against Marcus, but I have to make the same rules for everybody. We need goals, we need [players who can go] one against one, we need threat in the final third."

However, a return to action at Old Trafford seems an unlikely prospect and Rashford may hope City complete a deal for Gonzalez.