Marcus Rashford is not ready to lead Arsenal's attack despite Mikel Arteta's side plotting a shock summer switch - that is at least according to ex- Premier League goal-getter Tony Cascarino.
The former Chelsea forward has questioned whether the Red Devils star has got what it takes within his armoury at the moment to spearhead the Gunners' front-line. Rashford has endured one of his most difficult seasons in senior football to date and as a result question marks now hover over his club future.
The 24-year-old was forced to miss the opening exchanges of the Premier League campaign after undergoing shoulder surgery that was originally delayed so that he could play for the Three Lions at Euro 2020. Re-introduced into the thick of things with his club in October, Rashford has been well off the pace ever since.
United's number 10 has mustered up just five goals across all competitions this term, while his general play has left plenty to be desired. Despite this, Arsenal are rumoured to believe that they can get the best out of Rashford and will look to do so with a summer transfer.
Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are also reportedly keeping tabs on the situation as Rashford's relationship with his boyhood club is thought to have soured in light of his recent poor form. Not everyone is convinced that the winger has what it takes to test his hand elsewhere.
Cascarino feels that a club like Arsenal would not see the benefit of signing Rashford due to his own shortcomings in front of goal. "To be a natural striker, and this is something I learned along the way and I got better at as I got older, so Marcus could become better, because there’s no reason why someone can’t improve, you have to be very, very clinical," the ex-Chelsea striker told talkSPORT.
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"You have to punish because, if you’re going to a club like Arsenal, they’re looking to progress and be a Champions League team, so you have to be clinical in front of goal.
"I joked and sometimes called [Alex] Lacazette ‘Lack a finish’, which is a bit harsh because I think he’s a decent player, but he’s not being clinical enough for Arsenal. They’ve needed that, for him to be punishing teams, and I don’t think Marcus is ready to do that at Arsenal."
It remains unclear as to whether United would even sell to Arsenal given the teams are fierce long-time rivals, but Rashford's future at Old Trafford is far from certain with a new manager set to take charge this summer. And amid his recent struggles, a fresh start in North London could well appeal.
