Former Arsenal full-back Lee Dixon has suggested that a swap deal involving Marcus Rashford and Myles Lewis-Skelly could benefit both Manchester United and Arsenal, as speculation continues over the England forward's future at Old Trafford.
Rashford has been frozen out of Manchester United's plans for the past 18 months, having fallen out with both Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim during their respective spells in charge. He spent last season on loan at Barcelona, but the Spanish club opted against turning that move into a permanent transfer, sending the 27-year-old back to Carrington to link up with United's pre-season preparations.
With his long-term future still unresolved, attention has turned to potential destinations for Rashford, and Dixon believes Arsenal could represent a logical fit — even if it means parting ways with academy graduate Lewis-Skelly.
"Would I swap them? You know what, I probably would," Dixon said, speaking via BestBettingSites. "And that's nothing against Myles Lewis-Skelly; it's about giving him the freedom to go and expand his game elsewhere."
Lewis-Skelly's rise through the Arsenal ranks has been notable, though his role during the 2025/26 Premier League title-winning campaign was largely limited to the fringes of the squad for much of the season. He earned a more prominent place as the campaign reached its climax, eventually starting in the Champions League final. Earlier in the current transfer window, his name had been loosely connected with a switch to Manchester United, though Standard Sport reported that such a deal was not being actively pursued by either party.
Dixon's suggestion centers on the belief that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could provide the kind of environment Rashford needs to rediscover his best form following the disappointment of his failed Barcelona move.
"With Marcus Rashford, he's a player who needs an arm around his shoulder, and Arteta would be great for him," Dixon continued. "Give him that love, give him the freedom to play on that left side, and yeah, I'd like to see him in an Arsenal shirt. I have my reservations about whether he's consistently a top-class player, but based on what Arsenal have in the squad now, he'd be a good addition."
The comments add another layer to the uncertainty surrounding Rashford's next move. Having fallen down the pecking order under multiple United managers, he now faces a pivotal period in his career as he looks to prove he can still perform at the highest level. His immediate focus, however, remains on United's pre-season schedule, with appearances expected against Leeds United and Amorim's new club, AC Milan, in upcoming friendlies.
Those matches could offer United officials, and interested onlookers elsewhere, a clearer picture of where Rashford's fitness and form currently stand. Whether that translates into concrete transfer interest from Arsenal or another club remains to be seen, but Dixon's remarks are likely to fuel further conversation about the forward's next chapter.
For now, Rashford's situation continues to hang in the balance, with United yet to make a definitive decision on his long-term role at the club following his underwhelming loan spell abroad and prolonged absence from first-team matches domestically.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport (standard-football).