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 Sunday.
The 18-year-old, who had scored twice on his debut against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League 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, which scored through Danny Welbeck and Mesut Ozil, were left five points below leader Leicester City, while Tottenham Hotspur moved three points above them by coming from behind to beat Swansea City 2-1.
"The experience of mine is youngsters always play well the first match," said United manager Van Gaal. "The second match is different. Marcus played well in both matches, so he is a special talent."
The extent of United's injury problems was laid bare at Old Trafford by a starting XI that saw midfielder Michael Carrick line up at center-back, while Manchester-born starlet Rashford led the line in the absence of injury victims Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial.
Arsenal, which made three changes from its 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 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 its 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 is now three points below fourth-place Manchester City.
Tottenham, which 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 equalize in the 70th minute and left-back Danny Rose completed the comeback seven minutes later when he drilled home from distance following a corner.
