Manchester United legend David Beckham's experience of leaving Old Trafford is a warning to Marcus Rashford that it may not be easy to cut ties with his boyhood club.

Like Beckham, Rashford appears to have decided the time is right to go for a new challenge. In the summer of 2003, the former England captain chose a move to Real Madrid to reignite his career after Sir Alex Ferguson had decided a move would be best for him.

While Rashford's future club is not set in stone, and he has not been forced out, he could have to prepare himself for the pains of leaving his boyhood club. Beckham previously admitted it was difficult to even watch United having gone down a new path.

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As quoted in The Athletic last year, Beckham explained: "I always felt I would start my career at Manchester United and end my career at Manchester United. I had no intention of leaving at any point and I didn't want to play for any other club.

"For the next three years [after leaving], I couldn't even watch United on television. Being at United, and supporting them, for as long as I had, it was obviously upsetting."

Rashford was dropped from United's squad on Sunday for the Manchester derby victory over Manchester City. While he was back at Carrington this week, he was not seen at Stockport Station as the squad departed for their clash with Tottenham Hotspur in London.

Alejandro Garnacho, who also missed the victory over City, was seen with his teammates taking the train down to the capital.