Manchester United face Bournemouth at Old Trafford this weekend in a game which could potentially draw Erik ten Hag level with Pep Guardiola.
After Wednesday’s impressive display against Chelsea, confidence is high around Manchester United with many happy with a performance for the first time this season.
United were dominant from start to finish in the game which could have seen the team score several more goals with Alejandro Garnacho hitting the post and also being unlucky on a few occasions.
However, the goals will undoubtedly come if the performances continue to resemble what we all saw on Wednesday after Erik ten Hag got it right.
Ahead of this weekend’s game against Bournemouth at Old Trafford, Paul Merson has been sharing his prediction while also heaping praise onto a few players who impressed him midweek.
Paul Merson predicts Manchester United vs Bournemouth
Writing in his weekly predictions column on SportsKeeda, Merson backed United to continue to sit in the win column, predicting a 3-1 win against Bournemouth.
He wrote: “Manchester United have set the bar now and are coming on the back of a morale-boosting 2-1 win against Chelsea at Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag left out Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial for the game and said it was due to rotation, but I can’t see them getting back into the team.
“In fact, I’d be really surprised if they made any changes to their team for this one, as against Chelsea, they collectively closed their opponents down and gave a good account of themselves.”
Merson then continued to name the three players who he was seriously impressed by midweek before admitting Garnacho will be a real threat to Bournemouth.
“Sofyan Amrabat had his best game in a Manchester United shirt against Chelsea and Scott McTominay emerged as the match-winner with his exploits in front of goal, but Alejandro Garnacho was the one who caused Chelsea problems all night. He was very direct and should be a threat once again against Bournemouth.”
Alejandro Garnacho has made himself a key player lately
The criticism of Garnacho for part of this season and last season was that he was nowhere near as effective when starting, as he was from the bench.
This is to be expected from a young player but lately, that’s changed as he has earned his place in the team with excellent 90-minute-long displays.
This has included two goals and an assist in his last four which signifies the consistency he is now showing.
On Wednesday night he was at his electric best, and so long as this continues, it is difficult to see him being dropped from the team. He is a key player now in this team and clearly, one Erik ten Hag trusts over the more senior Marcus Rashford.
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