Paul Merson gives his prediction for Man United v Chelsea FC
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson is backing Man United to secure a vital win over Chelsea FC at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon
Paul Merson is backing Manchester United to edge to a narrow 2-1 victory over Chelsea FC at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Red Devils slumped to a 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the derby at Old Trafford in mid-week to lose successive games in all competitions in front of their home supporters.
Manchester United have lost seven of their last nine games in the Champions League, FA Cup and the Premier League to heap pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side in the top-four race.
The 20-time English champions still have an outside chance of securing a place in next season’s Champions League competition given the poor form of both Arsenal and Chelsea FC.
The Blues were held to a goalless draw with Burnley at Stamford Bridge on Monday night as Maurizio Sarri was sent off in a heated Premier League clash in west London.
Chelsea FC have failed to win their last two Premier League games to leave the door ajar for Arsenal and Manchester United in the chasing pack.
Former Arsenal midfielder Merson believes Manchester United will beat Chelsea FC at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
“I expect United to win, believe it or not. I think [Marcus] Rashford will be too much for the Chelsea defence. I watch Chelsea, if [Eden] Hazard doesn’t turn up it’s difficult, or if teams keep him quiet. You’ve seen teams do it before,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“I don’t think there’s a lot between the teams, [N’Golo] Kante being injured changes things, if he does play then they might have too much energy for United’s midfield but otherwise, Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be moving out to the left, Jorginho is never going to get you a goal and [Mateo] Kovacic – I can’t remember when he last had a shot.
“It’s just because of Rashford, no other reason, I think he’ll have too much for David Luiz and [Andreas] Christensen.”
Manchester United have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 12 matches in all competitions, which is the club’s longest run without a clean sheet since a 16-game streak in 1970.
