Marcus Rashford can answer critics amid talk of Manchester United career ‘crossroads’ in timely visit from Tottenham, as out-of-favour striker looks to repeat history

Anyone who has watched Marcus Rashford this season will agree the Manchester United ace needs a pick-me-up, and he may get one as the Red Devils prepare to take on Tottenham this weekend.

There isn't a better opportunity for Rashford to silence his critics and kick-start his season than by leaving his mark in a fixture that has brought plenty of success for the striker in recent times.

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The 24-year-old has not looked a happy boy in recent weeks, in a season that has seen him fall out of the first-team picture at Old Trafford and out of interim boss Ralf Rangnick's short-term plans.

Rashford has started just two of Man United's last 11 Premier League matches and came off the bench in the club's defeat to noisy neighbours Man City last weekend.

He failed to make an impact in that 4-1 derby defeat, and the fact he started on the bench despite the absences of Cristiano Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani and Mason Greenwood - with Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba starting up front in a double false nine formation - led to doubts over Rashford's future.

Reports following the game claimed the striker was beginning to consider his future at Old Trafford, with the hometown star keen to receive assurances over his position in the team and his chances of regular game time.

For many, the links with a summer exit have been met with little surprise, with Rashford failing to replicate some his best goalscoring form from the past two seasons - which saw him plunder a combined total of 43 goals.

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However, he may get a timely boost when Tottenham visit Old Trafford on Saturday evening - LIVE on talkSPORT.

Rashford holds a fairly decent record against Spurs, scoring four goals in 11 games in all competitions.

He has been on the winning side on seven occasions and suffered just three defeats when facing the north Londoners.

Rashford has produced some match-winning moments that have haunted Tottenham fans over the years, as well as their managers.

His first goal against Spurs was a low driving effort from Paul Pogba's defence-splitting pass secured a 1-0 victory at Wembley Stadium that dented Spurs' title ambitions under Mauricio Pochettino.

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The following campaign saw Rashford's brace inspire the Red Devils to a 2-1 victory, inflicting former boss Jose Mourinho with his first defeat as Spurs boss.

He also got on the scoresheet in the clubs' last meeting, Rashford scoring United's third goal of a 3-0 win - a defeat that brought an end to Nuno Espirito Santo's brief reign as Tottenham manager.

There is more good news for supporters ahead of Saturday's blockbuster clash, with focus likely to be on the dugouts as much as the events on the pitch.

With Antonio Conte experiencing a turbulent few weeks in the Tottenham hotseat, the fiery Italian has been linked with a shock switch to Old Trafford to replace Rangnick in the coming months.

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That remains a big if, but in the meantime he will travel to Manchester as the opposing coach looking for his first ever three points at the home of the Red Devils.

Conte has yet to win a Premier League game against Man United at Old Trafford, having failed to claim an away victory at the Theatre of Dreams during his two-year spell as Chelsea head coach.

This will be the first time Conte will face the Red Devils in four years, having returned to the Premier League in November following his departure from Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2018.

But he goes into his game under severe pressure, too, with Saturday likely to be test of who can handle the heat, and with Rashford having the chance to repeat history and pile further misery on Spurs and Conte.

Tune into talkSPORT for LIVE and EXCLUSIVE commentary of Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League - Saturday, March 12 - Kick off: 17:30 GMT