Arsenal are being linked with Manchester United star Marcus Rashford but Paul Merson is urging the Red Devils to avoid a summer transfer.
Rashford was only on the bench Sunday afternoon is Manchester United lost 4-1 to Rivals Manchester City.
That’s despite the fact that Ralf Rangnick used Bruno Fernandes as a false 9 at the Etihad Stadium.
Rashford did come on as a substitute in the second, but being left out for Fernandes has to sting for the England international.
With Rashford’s confidence low and first-team minutes hard to come by, the boyhood United fan is now being linked with a move away from Old Trafford.
90min reported that Arsenal are interested in signing Rashford this summer with Newcastle United and West Ham United also keen.
It seems unlikely that United would sell to a direct top four rival in Arsenal, but the Gunners can offer regular playing time in a striking role.
That has to appeal to Rashford who is now in danger of missing out on England’s World Cup squad later this year unless he turns things around.
With English players like Ben White, Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka all thriving under Mikel Arteta, a move to Arsenal may actually seem quite alluring to Rashford.
Arsenal legend Paul Merson would surely love to see Rashford make the move to North London, but has urged United against selling the attack.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Merson has suggested that nobody in their right mind should even consider selling Rashford.
Merson added that United are a ‘shambles’ if they let Rashford go, and backed the 24-year-old to recapture his best form very soon.
“It’s been two or three months and there is talk of Rashford being moved on. Seriously?” said Merson. “No manager in their right mind would come to Old Trafford and offload Rashford. Even if I was going to take over the club as manager tomorrow morning, I wouldn’t be letting Rashford go! This is why Manchester United are in a shambles, how haven’t they got a manager in place now. Whoever does come in as manager isn’t going to get rid of Rashford, so the move will have to be done before then, that’s if it is going happen.”
“I feel sorry for Rashford. It’s a horrible feeling when you lose your confidence in football, but even more so when it happens for the first time. He’s not getting a run in the team so when he does come on, he always seems to be chasing the game and he’s trying to do too much. He’s got to get back to playing simple and build his confidence. He’s got to get back to basics and, all of a sudden, his confidence will come back because the kid is a good player, you don’t become a bad player overnight,” he added.
We would bet on United keeping Rashford, but if they show any indication of letting him go, Arsenal should absolutely be near the front of the queue.
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