Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has made a clear-cut scoreline prediction for Manchester United’s Premier League showdown with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
Ruben Amorim faces his biggest challenge at Old Trafford so far amid Manchester United’s poor run of form in the lead-up to 2024 coming to an end.
United are winless across their last four fixtures in all competitions and the Red Devils made their exit from the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in December.
Ruben Amorim has overseen three consecutive Premier League defeats as United manager, with the Red Devils recently losing 2-0 to Newcastle at Old Trafford.
United’s lacklustre campaign has left the Red Devils in 14th place in the table ahead of a tough Premier League match against rivals Liverpool on the weekend.
The Red Devils have managed only six league wins in 19 matches and United are only seven points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.
Amorim’s best hopes of securing Champions League football for next season will be via the Europa League, with United currently 13 points off from the top four.
Merson reacts to two Man Utd stars
Speaking in his column for Sportskeeda, Paul Merson insisted that Manchester United can’t play Christian Eriksen and Casemiro together anymore.
Ruben Amorim made the big call to start Christian Eriksen and Casemiro in midfield against Newcastle and the Red Devils were exposed in the first half.
United were played off the park by Newcastle in the first half of Monday’s 2-0 win and Amorim was forced to make a change before half-time.
Joshua Zirkzee was pulled off and Kobbie Mainoo came on to play alongside Casemiro, with Christian Eriksen moving forward in an advanced attacking role.
Merson insisted that Amorim must pick his team “accordingly” to the demands of the Premier League and not repeat the same mistake against Liverpool.
“Is this a big game anymore? Let’s be honest now,” he said.
“You’re talking about one of the biggest games of the calendar in the Premier League but it’s a farce.
“There’s not a single Manchester United fan in this country who is looking forward to this game! It would be the biggest shock of the season if United win at Anfield.
“I can’t believe what I’m watching from Manchester United right now. The first 20 minutes against Newcastle was like an FA Cup third-round game where a League Two side played at Old Trafford, United were that bad!
“Christian Eriksen and Casemiro have had unbelievable careers, but they can’t play together in the Premier League anymore. This isn’t the Portuguese league, Ruben Amorim has to pick the team accordingly.
“The team he set up against Newcastle, I actually thought they did well to lose only 2-0! When I saw that line-up, I was like, ‘Wow, this could end up being a big loss for United.’”
Merson on Man Utd player and scoreline prediction
Merson has fully backed Liverpool to beat United at Anfield, with the Reds currently top of the Premier League and having lost only once in the league this season.
Arne Slot’s men have serious momentum behind them and Liverpool are six points clear of second-place Arsenal with a Premier League match in hand.
Merson has predicted Liverpool to beat United 3-0 on the weekend unless Red Devils No 1 Andre Onana has an “absolute blinder” of a performance.
“I just can’t see United getting anything from this game,” he wrote.
“I also think it’s inappropriate for Amorim to be saying they are close to a relegation battle.
“He needs to adapt quickly to the Premier League. Unless Andre Onana has an absolute blinder, Manchester United have no chance in this game.
“They follow this game up with Arsenal in the FA Cup and I expect them to lose that as well!”
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