Marcus Rashford: How likely is it the Manchester United teenager will score double again?

Surely lightning can't strike thrice

Marcus Rashford (GETTY IMAGES)

Surely Marcus Rashford won't score a double for Manchester United yet again, will he?

The 18-year-old has hit two braces in two games since making his senior debut in the Europa League last week and tonight he could be in action again.

Watford come to Old Trafford knowing that the unknown teenager could stun them just as he did Midtjylland and then Arsenal at the weekend.

The odds on Rashford repeating the feat are incredibly low considering he was a complete unknown just a few days ago.

Odds of him scoring two or more goals at Old Trafford tonight are as low as 6-1 with bookmakers Bet Victor, however some other betting firms don't think it quite so likely, with odds of 9.5-1 available.

The only player being given lower odds on scoring a brace in tonight's Premier League game is Anthony Martial, who could return to action tonight.

It was the Frenchman's hamstring complaint in the warm-up last Thursday that was the catalyst for Rashford's surprise first-team chance, so the Frenchman's return could see the teenager drop to the bench.

Van Gaal was coy when asked whether Martial would replace Rashford, but was more forthcoming when it came to discussing his striking options.

"When I have choice enough, then I rotate," he said. "There's no player in the English Premier League who can cope with the rhythm of matches.

"We have seen that because a player like Rooney, who could always cope with that rhythm, is injured and not for the first time.

"I have to rotate, so with Rashford I have more players that can play in the striker's position.

"I have Rooney, I have Martial, I have Rashford. I had (Will) Keane but Keane is injured and shall be operated on."

Van Gaal admitted that Rashford may find things tougher following his goal-scoring performances.

"I am always saying 'enjoy yourself' so to make it so easy as possible, without pressure," said the Dutchman.

"But now the pressure shall raise for him because all the people shall look at him in another way.

"After four goals, the fans are expecting the fifth goal and that's not normal because the average is already high.

"But he has certain qualities that he can score in his way and that's because he sniffs the situation in advance of other players."

Tonight's match at Old Trafford kicks off at 8pm.