Former England midfielder Paul Merson believes Manchester United face a very difficult task when they play rivals Manchester City this weekend. He says he would “be amazed” if United manage to win the Manchester derby.
The game will be played at a time of change for Manchester United. Michael Carrick will take charge of the team for the first time as interim manager.
The former United midfielder has stepped into the role after a turbulent period at the club, and he has been given one of the toughest fixtures possible for his first match.
Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, come into the derby in strong form. They are challenging at the top of the Premier League and are widely seen as one of the best teams in Europe.
United, on the other hand, have struggled for consistency and confidence this season. That contrast is central to Merson’s prediction.
Writing in his column for Sportskeeda, Merson made it clear that he expects City to be too strong for United. While derby matches are often unpredictable, he does not think this one will follow that pattern.
Merson sees City too strong in the Manchester derby
Merson, who now works as a Sky Sports pundit, says the gap between the two teams is too big to ignore. He believes Manchester City’s attacking quality will be the key factor in the game.
“Usually in derby games, form goes out of the window. It’s not the same here because, quite honestly, I can’t see anything but a Manchester City win! I’d be amazed if Manchester United won.”
The Manchester derby has often produced surprises in the past. Even when one side has been stronger on paper, the intensity and emotion of the occasion have sometimes levelled things out. However, Merson feels that this is no longer the case.
He points to recent meetings between the two clubs, where United at least looked capable of causing problems for City. This time, he does not feel the same confidence in United’s chances.
“In the last two or three derbies, the contest was more even in the sense that we knew Manchester United had a chance. I can’t say it’s the same now.
“Don’t get me wrong, I still think City concede too many chances. But their attack is just miles ahead and will have too much for United.”
Merson’s comments highlight both sides of City’s game. He admits that Guardiola’s team can still be vulnerable at the back and do give opponents opportunities to score. But he believes their attacking strength outweighs those weaknesses.
City have a wide range of attacking options, with players who can score and create goals from all areas of the pitch. Their movement, passing and pace often make them very difficult to defend against, especially for teams who are not well organised or low on confidence.
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United have struggled defensively this season, conceding goals at key moments and failing to control games. Merson appears to think that City’s forwards will take advantage of those problems.
Based on his assessment, Merson has predicted a clear win for the Sky Blues.
The Sky Sports pundit has gone with a 3-1 win to Pep Guardiola’s men, which would be a very disappointing outcome for United fans if the match plays out that way.
Despite that, the Manchester derby also offers an opportunity. Matches against City are always high-profile, and a strong performance could lift spirits around the club. Even if United are not favourites, football has a habit of producing unexpected moments.
For United, a draw would be seen as a positive result given City’s form and quality. A win would be a huge shock and could provide a major boost to belief within the squad. Either outcome would give Carrick some early encouragement as he looks to steady the ship.
