Paul Merson Predicts Unlikely Derby Outcome for City vs United

In an unexpected turn of events leading up to the Manchester derby, former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has expressed skepticism about Manchester City‘s chances against Manchester United on September 24, 2023. Merson stated he cannot envision a scenario where City emerges victorious, despite their history of dominance in the fixture.

City enters the match under pressure, having collected only three points from their first three Premier League games. A string of disappointing results, including back-to-back losses to Tottenham and Brighton, has raised concerns about the team’s performance. Manager Pep Guardiola faces increasing scrutiny as injuries continue to plague his squad. In contrast, United, despite their own inconsistency, managed to secure a victory against Burnley thanks to a last-minute penalty from Bruno Fernandes.

Merson Questions City’s Form and Strategy

According to Merson, City’s shaky start to the season and their inability to beat United in their previous encounters last year—one draw and one loss—cast doubt on their prospects. He noted, “I thought Manchester United were really good against Burnley. It was a bit like the Manchester United of old. But they still needed a penalty at the end to win that game, and that is a concern if you ask me.”

His analysis highlights the lack of key players like David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, both of whom were instrumental in City’s past successes. Merson remarked, “Julian Alvarez was the kind of player who could have picked up the ball and pulled off something special in games like these, but they don’t have him either.” He emphasized that Erling Haaland relies heavily on service from his teammates, which does not appear to be forthcoming.

Merson further pointed out the struggles City faced in their recent home match against Tottenham. He said, “City were terrible against Tottenham at the Etihad. I actually think Manchester United’s front three can hurt them in this game.”

Contradictory Views on United’s Prospects

Despite his concerns about United’s overall season, Merson believes they have the upper hand going into the derby. He stated, “I’m going to go for a draw, but if someone told me I had to pick a winner, I would only choose Manchester United. I just don’t think Ruben Amorim’s men will lose this game.” His comments reflect a cautious optimism about United’s ability to capitalize on City’s vulnerabilities.

The derby, scheduled at the Etihad Stadium, promises to be a tightly contested affair, especially given the stakes for both teams. As the match approaches, the eyes of fans and analysts will be closely watching how these two rivals perform on the pitch.

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