Redknapp: Time For Rashford To Shine

With Zlatan Ibrahimovic suspended and Wayne Rooney out of form, it's time for Marcus Rashford to be given his chance up front against Arsenal, says Jamie Redknapp.

Manchester United and Arsenal games are always eagerly anticipated - but this time around the player I'm looking forward to seeing most is Marcus Rashford.

This was the game where he came to prominence last season, scoring twice in quick succession on his Premier League debut to help United to a 3-2 win at Old Trafford.

If he can repeat that kind of performance, suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic and captain Wayne Rooney could have a real problem on their hands. This is a massive chance for him to give United a completely different dimension that they've been lacking with those two older players in the side.

There have been times this season when I've looked at Rashford and wanted a bit more from him. He's generally been restricted to a wide role but he's not been as sharp as he was last year.

Maybe that's because he feels he should be starting, rather than being used from the bench. Maybe he feels he should be playing centre forward, rather than out wide. It may be born out of frustration.

But if he gets his chance tomorrow there will be no excuses. It will just be a great platform for him to go out and show what he can do. He may feel like he needs to prove himself again - but he can put himself right to the top of the pecking order if he plays well on Saturday.

There's no doubt in my mind he's a striker rather than a wide man. We had Ryan Giggs on Sky Sports a couple of months ago and he agreed. Rashford is a goalscorer, has good feet and the pace you need if you are going to be the most advanced player.

I know Ibrahimovic got a couple of goals against Swansea last time out, but there's a need for a change in United's attack. The fans are crying out for something different. And what a buzz around the stadium there would be if they saw the teamsheet with Rashford at No 9.

It would be a real statement from Jose Mourinho about how he wants his team to play and would earn a lot of good will from the United supporters.

Of course, Mourinho may be tempted to play Rashford up against Carl Jenkinson, who will come in for the injured Hector Bellerin at right-back for Arsenal. Jenkinson is a good player but he hasn't had much game time recently and United will want to test him out.

But that job could be performed by Anthony Martial. This could be the game where the Frenchman turns it on, runs at Jenkinson - who is quick himself - and tests out the replacement right-back to see if there's a weakness there.

That could be a key factor in whether United can open Arsenal up and get a much-needed win.

The key for the Gunners is not to get beaten on Saturday. Arsene Wenger would love to turn around that record he has against Mourinho sides but if you offered him a point I reckon he'd take it. It's more important for United to win, given the start they've had.

Alexis Sanchez could deny them - should he be in good enough condition to start, following his long journey to South America and back - and his link-up play with Mesut Ozil this season has been excellent.
But I can see this one being a tight game and reckon the points will be shared.

Credit: Skysports.com