Man United 3-2 Arsenal: Marcus Rashford's superb double hits Gunners' title hopes - 5 things we learned

• BY DAVID MCDONNELL

The 18-year-old scored twice and set up Ander Herrera's third in a phenomenal display, while Mesut Ozil's assist and goal can't save Gunners

Marcus Rashford struck twice and set-up Ander Herrera's third to hand Manchester United a huge win against Arsenal.

Rashford scored twice in three minutes to continue his remarkable week and reignite United's fading top-four hopes and harm the Gunners' title chances.

The first, a flourishing finish, was followed by a glancing header that has seen the 18-year-old local lad take his goal tally to four in two games, following his brace in Thursday's 5-2 Europa League win over FC Midtjylland .

Danny Welbeck scored before half-time to reduce the deficit.

Rashford set up Herrera as Man United added a third, before Ozil kept Arsenal in the game with a fine finish.

Louis van Gaal was finally cheered by the Old Trafford faithful when feigning a dive on the sidelines - a response to Alexis Sanchez.

And there might be a few more cheers after this win. Here's what we learned.

Action Images via Reuters / Jason Cairnduff

Marcus Rashford scores the first goal

Action Images via Reuters / Jason Cairnduff

Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring the first goal with Juan Mata

1) Rashford has no fear

Fresh from his two-goal debut heroics in midweek, Marcus Rashford , 18, was United's main man again, scoring twice in three minutes to set up the win, as well as assisting the third.

No fear and a star in the making.

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Marcus Rashford heads in his and Manchester United's second goal

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Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring the second goal

2) Varela proves his worth

Signed by David Moyes and brought back into the fold by Van Gaal, Varela proved his value with a hand in United's opening two goals, while he began the move for the third.

Only blot a caution for tugging back Sanchez.

3) Walcott has a day to forget

Culpable for United's opener, when he lost possession cheaply, Walcott was abject throughout.

Sloppy on the ball and more of a liability than an asset, he was hooked just after the hour.

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Early chance: Monreal's shot is saved by David De Gea after an exquisite ball from Mesut Ozil

Reuters / Phil Noble

Ron nil! Ex-boss Atkinson was among those watching on at Old Trafford

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Watching brief: Jack Wilshere, Pat Rice and Ray Parlour in the stands

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Back in the game: Welbeck scores the first goal for Arsenal just before half time

4) Ramsey lucky not to see red

Ramsey escaped a sending-off, despite shoving Herrera to the ground after the United midfielder scythed into him with a late challenge.

Despite the reckless nature of the foul, Ramsey can consider himself lucky.

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Three! Herrera celebrates scoring the third goal for Manchester United

Reuters / Phil Noble

Ander Herrera celebrates scoring the third Manchester United goal with team mates

5) Van Gaal the fall-guy

Louis van Gaal rarely leaves his seat in the dug-out, but here it was worth the wait, the United boss dropping to the ground in front of the fourth official to mock Sanchez for a perceived dive.

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Going...

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...going...

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gone! Louis van Fall, anyone?

Player ratings - by John Cross

Manchester United

• De Gea 6 - Terrific early block from Monreal showed his value to United.
• Varela 7 - Booked. Forgotten man of Moyes’ reign played part in both goals.
• Carrick 7 - Booked. Did well as a makeshift centre half. Composed.
• Blind 7 - Reads the game well, sees danger and was effective.
• Rojo 6 - Feeble attempt to head clear when Welbeck scored.
• Schneiderlin 7 - Worked hard, shielded United’s defence to good effect.
• Herrera 7 - Booked. Very good passing, his shot deflected for United’s third.
• Lingard 7 - Quite lively, provided the cross for Rashford’s second goal.
• Memphis 7 - Bit better after his midweek confidence boost after midweek.
• Mata 7 - Nice moments of quality in United’s midfield engine room.
• Rashford 8 - MotM. What a story. Two goals for United’s new sensation.

Substitutes

• Fosu-Mensah, for Rojo, 55 mins, 6
• Januzaj, for Rashford, 80 mins

Arsenal

• Cech 6 - Not much he could do on any of United’s goals.
• Bellerin 5 -Exposed defensively but got very little protection.
• Koscielny 5 - Partnership with Gabriel simply does not work. Awful.
• Gabriel 5 - Horrible moment on United’s opener. In poor form. Shocking.
• Monreal 6 - Had good early chance but was blocked by De Gea.
• Coquelin 5 - Yet to rediscover his form since returning from injury.
• Ramsey 5 - Booked. In poor form, looks very jaded, lucky not to see red.
• Ozil 7 - Perfect free kick for Welbeck’s goal and scored.
• Welbeck 7 - Gave everything, scored and was easily Arsenal’s best player.
• Sanchez 5 - Where has Sanchez of last season gone? Didn’t track on opener.
• Walcott 4 - Hooked early after a very poor game. Made no impact.

Substitutes

• Giroud, for Walcott, 63 mins, 6
• Elneny, for Coquelin, 73 mins, 5
• Iwobi, for Welbeck, 83 mins

Manchester United 3-2 Arsenal player ratings: Who was YOUR man of the match?

Marcus Rashford scored twice and set up Ander Herrera for Man United's third as Arsenal went down 3-2 at Old Trafford

Marcus Rashford scored his third and fourth senior goals as an under-strengthManchester United team beat Arsenal 3-2 at Old Trafford.

The teenage sensation - who scored twice on his debut against FC Midtjylland on Thursday - scored United's first and second goals.

Danny Welbeck then pulled one back for Arsenal before Rashford set up Ander Herrera for United's third.

Mesut Ozil scored Arsenal's second to set up a nervy finish but Louis van Gaal's injury-hit side held on to claim the win.

Here are John Cross's player ratings.

Action Images via Reuters / Jason Cairnduff

Opener: Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring the first goal with Juan Mata

Manchester United

De Gea 6

Terrific early block from Monreal showed his value to United.

Varela 7

Booked. Forgotten man of Moyes’ reign played part in both goals.

Carrick 7

Booked. Did well as a makeshift centre half. Composed.

Blind 7

Reads the game well, sees danger and was effective.

Rojo 6

Feeble attempt to head clear when Welbeck scored.

Schneiderlin 7

Worked hard, shielded United’s defence to good effect.

Laurence Griffiths/Getty

Double trouble: Rashford celebrates scoring his opening goal

Herrera 7

Booked. Very good passing, his shot deflected for United’s third.

Lingard 7

Quite lively, provided the cross for Rashford’s second goal.

Memphis 7

Bit better after his midweek confidence boost after midweek.

Mata 7

Nice moments of quality in United’s midfield engine room.

Rashford 8

MotM. What a story. Two goals for United’s new sensation.

Substitutes

Fosu-Mensah, for Rojo, 55 mins, 6

Januzaj, for Rashford, 80 mins

Martin Rickett/PA Wire

Hope: Danny Welbeck scores the first goal for Arsenal

Arsenal

Cech 6

Not much he could do on any of United’s goals.

Bellerin 5

Exposed defensively but got very little protection.

Koscielny 5

Partnership with Gabriel simply does not work. Awful.

Gabriel 5

Horrible moment on United’s opener. In poor form. Shocking.

Monreal 6

Had good early chance but was blocked by De Gea.

Coquelin 5

Yet to rediscover his form since returning from injury.

Reuters / Phil Noble

Sealed: Ander Herrera celebrates scoring the third goal for Manchester United

Ramsey 5

Booked. In poor form, looks very jaded, lucky not to see red.

Ozil 7

Perfect free kick for Welbeck’s goal and scored.

Welbeck 7

Gave everything, scored and was easily Arsenal’s best player.

Sanchez 5

Where has Sanchez of last season gone? Didn’t track on opener.

Walcott 4

Hooked early after a very poor game. Made no impact.

Substitutes

Giroud, for Walcott, 63 mins, 6

Elneny, for Coquelin, 73 mins, 5

Iwobi, for Welbeck, 83 mins

David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty

Consolation: Mesut Ozil scores Arsenal's second goal