Marcus Rashford MUST start on the bench for Manchester United against Arsenal, claims Paul Merson

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has suggested that Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should bench Marcus Rashford against the Gunners on Sunday.

Rashford bagged a 16-minute hat-trick after coming on as a substitute against RB Leipzig in United’s 5-0 victory against RB Leipzig. 

The striker started the Red Devils’ last Premier League match against Chelsea and failed to find the net, with Merson convinced he is more effective as a super sub. 

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has suggested Marcus Rashford should be benched vs Gunners

Merson believes the Manchester United forward is more effective coming off the bench

He told the Daily Star: ‘When he [Rashford] starts, he doesn’t really score bundles of goals and often finds it difficult.

‘But he came on this week against Leipzig and scored a hat-trick in 16 minutes! If you look at when he scores his goals this season, they tell you a story.

‘He scored as a sub against Luton in the 88th minute in the EFL Cup. He scored in the second half against Brighton. 

‘He scored in the last minute against Newcastle. He scored with three minutes to go against Paris St-Germain and all his goals against Leipzig were at the end of the game. His goals are coming against tired defenders.

Rashford bagged a 16-minute hat-trick after coming on as a substitute against RB Leipzig

‘Maybe United should experiment with that.

‘Arsenal is going to be a tight game. If it’s 0-0 after 60 minutes and Rashford comes on just when defenders are getting tired, he could have a field day.  

‘Don’t get me wrong. Marcus Rashford is too good to spend his whole career as a supersub. He’s an England international.

‘But I think he needs a rest and playing a few games off the bench might actually do him some good in the long run.’