LONDON: Teenage sensation Marcus Rashford took his tally to four goals in two games as Manchester United compromised Arsenal’s Premier League title bid with a rousing 3-2 victory on Sunday.

The 18-year-old, who had scored twice on his debut against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday, also set up a goal for Ander Herrera as Louis van Gaal’s side closed to within three points of the Champions League places.

Arsenal, who scored through Danny Welbeck and Mesut Ozil, were left five points below leaders Leicester City, while Tottenham Hotspur moved three points above them by coming from behind to beat Swansea City 2-1.

At Old Trafford, the extent of United’s injury problems was laid bare by a starting XI that saw midfielder Michael Carrick line up at centre-back, while Manchester-born starlet Rashford led the line in the absence of injury victims Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial.

Arsenal, who made three changes from their 2-0 Champions League defeat by Barcelona, created the first chance, Ozil freeing Nacho Monreal for a shot that the fit-again David de Gea raced out to block, but it was the hosts who drew first blood in the 29th minute.

Gabriel, brought in for Per Mertesacker, failed to make proper contact as he attempted to clear Guillermo Varela’s inviting right-wing cross and Rashford nervelessly placed the loose ball past Petr Cech.

The United faithful rose to acclaim their new hero and they were off their feet again less than three minutes later when Rashford met Jesse Lingard’s cross with a well-directed downward header.

Rashford became the third-youngest player to score a Premier League goal for United, after Federico Macheda and Welbeck, and the latter returned to haunt his former club by reducing the arrears.

In a repeat of the formula that had yielded a last-gasp winner against Leicester two weeks ago, Ozil chipped a free-kick into the box and Welbeck stooped to head home. It was the German’s 18th assist of the campaign.

United lost Marcos Rojo to an apparent ankle injury early in the first half, which saw 18-year-old Dutch defender Tim Fosu-Mensah come on for his club debut.

Wenger sent on Olivier Giroud for the ineffective Theo Walcott in the 63rd minute, but two minutes later United extended their lead.

Rashford rolled the ball into the path of Herrera, whose first-time curler from outside the box was deflected past Cech by the flying Laurent Koscielny.

Ozil gave Arsenal hope with 21 minutes left, following in to volley home after De Gea had parried from Welbeck.

But the hosts held firm and Van Gaal had the home fans roaring in their seats as he mimicked a dive to fourth official Mike Dean on the touchline in protest at what he felt was a piece of simulation by an Arsenal player.

United are now three points below fourth-place Manchester City, who were due to face Liverpool in the League Cup final at Wembley later in the day.

Tottenham, who began the day level on points with Arsenal, fell behind in the 19th minute at home to Swansea when Alberto Paloschi seized on Angel Rangel’s deflected shot to score.

But Nacer Chadli turned in Kyle Walker’s cross to equalise in the 70th minute and Danny Rose completed the comeback seven minutes later when he drilled home from distance following a corner.

On Saturday, Leicester forged five points clear at the summit after a late strike from Leonardo Ulloa sank struggling Norwich City 1-0 at the King Power Stadium.

Reigning champions Chelsea also needed a winning goal in the 89th minute with a booming header from Branislav Ivanovic seeing them fight back from a goal down to take an excellent 2-1 win at Southampton.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Watford were held to 0-0 at home by Bournemouth, Stoke City beat bottom club Aston Villa 2-1 and West Bromwich Albion edged Crystal Palace 3-2 in the late game.

Published in Dawn, February 29th, 2016