Paul Merson has given his verdict on how Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United will fare against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The former Arsenal star and Sky Sports pundit has predicted three goals in the Manchester derby.
So, what has Paul Merson said about Manchester City against Manchester United? Let’s take a look.
Paul Merson backs Manchester City vs Manchester United
Well, Paul Merson has been looking ahead to the Manchester derby between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.
The former Arsenal star has backed City to win the Premier League match against United. The Citizens, who won the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup last season, will pick up all three points from the encounter at the Etihad Stadium courtesy of a 3-0 win, says the Sky Sports pundit.
Merson has said that United could have had a chance had Rasmus Hojlund been fit. The Denmark international striker had been banging in the goals for fun before his injury.
The pundit has noted how threatening City and Norway international striker Erling Haaland is. Haaland scored five goals for City against Luton Town in the FA Cup in midweek.
Merson told SportsKeeda: “If Rasmus Hojlund was fit, I’d have given Manchester United a chance in this game as the away side would have had a lot of pace in attack with the Danish striker playing alongside Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford.
“Now that Hojlund is out injured, I think it would be one-way traffic in favor of the home side. I actually think Manchester United are going to the Etihad Stadium in damage-limitation mode – so I’m going to be kind and go for a 3-0 home win but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a lot worse.
“Erling Haaland scoring five goals away from home against a Premier League side in the FA Cup is not normal, but we tend to take him for granted. I can’t put into words how extraordinary a feat that is – it was mindblowing and I mean it. He’s absolutely ruthless in front of goal and doesn’t care if he scores a tap-in or a diving header, that’s what I love about him!
“I personally think Liverpool’s game against Forest is a harder one to call than this one, so I’m going for a comfortable home win.
“Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Manchester United.”
My View: Manchester City favourites vs Manchester United
In my opinion, Manchester City are favourites to win against Manchester United in the Manchester derby this weekend. I think that Pep Guardiola’s side will win by two clear goals.
City have arguably the strongest team in the Premier League and are at home for this match. In midweek, they hammered Luton Town.
United slumped to a defeat to Fulham at Old Trafford in the Premier League last weekend, but they beat Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup in midweek.
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