Rashford becoming United’s leader
MARCUS Rashford is front-page news as well as back-page these days. If crowds were in, I think he’d get a great reception at any stadium in the country, including Anfield, because his campaign to feed children crosses club allegiances.
I didn’t think it would impact his day job and it certainly hasn’t. He’s the first name on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team sheet, able to play anywhere along the front line and full of confidence after his hat-trick against RB Leipzig last Wednesday.
He’ll probably play up as a central striker against Arsenal, with Anthony Martial suspended, and Mikel Arteta will know Rashford is looking sharp and confident, banging in the goals.
I’ve admired him as a player since he broke on to the scene i n 2016. His maturity on the pitch is now being matched off it and I’m sure he appreciates the good support network he has around him from the club, friends, family and advisers. He seems a level-headed lad.
I particularly like the fact he plays for the team even though he’s got wonderful ability, whether dribbling or taking great free-kicks.
When he lost the ball against Chelsea last weekend, he chased back and ended up giving a foul away with a forward’s challenge. It demonstrated desire and, while he only turned 23 yesterday and you can’t call him a ready-made team leader yet, he will be.
On a human level, he’s doing s o methi n g that resonates with people. But it has not taken away his ambition to win for his team.
ARTETA’S TACTICAL ERROR
Managers should always play a system that suits the players available to them. Arsenal are better-equipped to using wing-backs than anyone and I doubt Arteta will repeat the mistake of changing to a back four against Leicester last weekend at Old Trafford today.
The Gunners won the FA Cup in the summer with a back three – beating both Manchester City and Chelsea at Wembley.
I expect Arsenal to return to the tried and trusted today. The 3-4-3 suits them well. Kieran Tierney is comfortable as the left-sided central defender because he’s good on the ball and has the game in front of him.
He would also have the energy to get forward from wing-back but Arteta is blessed to have Ainsley Maitland-Niles or Bukayo Saka as other options.
Arsenal’s balance is better with a 3-4-3. Up front, PierreEmerick Aubameyang benefits from having wing-backs behind him. In a straight 4-33, he has more defensive responsibility, which is not his forte. Maitland-Niles creates space for him and allows the forward to get into the penalty area, where he’s such a fine finisher.
I don’t think Granit Xhaka benefits from a 4-3-3, either. It means he has to leave his comfort zone and drift wider than he’d like. He’s a good, technical footballer but hasn’t got the legs, so he’s much more dependable in a midfield two alongside either Thomas Partey or Dani Ceballos.
I’ve seen it suggested Aubameyang should have a stint at centre-forward to get back on the goal trail because he hasn’t scored a league goal since signing his new contract. I disagree, I think coming in from the left and bending those finishes is perfect for him.
KEY MATCH-UP: BRUNO FERNANDES v PARTEY
It’s been a good response by United to that thumping embarrassment against Tottenham. Good wins away at Newcastle and PSG and clean sheets against Chelsea and RB Leipzig suggests they are finding the balance between staying solid and carrying a goal threat.
Bruno Fernandes is the danger man. His pass against Leipzig for Rashford’s first goal was fantastic and I’m sure Arteta will give his new £45m signing Partey the responsibility of keeping Fernandes quiet.
I watched Partey at Atletico Madrid, he’s disciplined and you can tell he’s been coached by Diego Simeone. Besides being a good passer, he senses danger when the opposition is moving forward.
United will have plenty ball and Arsenal will want to condense the space. They know the deeper Bruno goes, the less threat he is. Partey is a key figure in their strategy.