Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has made a huge season-defining prediction for Manchester United’s trip to the Molineux for their Premier League clash with Wolves.
Manchester United punched their ticket to the fifth round of the FA Cup after their 4-2 victory against Newport County on Sunday at the Rodney Parade.
Erik ten Hag’s men are out of both the Carabao Cup and the Champions League, with United only competing in the FA Cup and the Premier League for the remainder of the season.
United returned to Premier League action for the first time in 2024 earlier this month, with the Red Devils held to a 2-2 draw against Tottenham at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag’s side are currently eighth in the Premier League table and are currently 11 points adrift from fourth-place Aston Villa in the race for top four.
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Merson on Wolves vs United
Manchester United have only won one of their last five Premier League matches, with Erik ten Hag’s men facing an uphill battle in their bid to secure a top-four finish.
Wolves, on the other hand, have won three of their last five Premier League fixtures and are only three points adrift from United ahead of the match at the Molineux.
Paul Merson, who has dropped his verdict on the situation involving Marcus Rashford, has raised concerns about United after their display against Newport County.
Speaking to Sportskeeda, he said: “Manchester United were cruising at 2-0 but were pegged back to 2-2 by Newport County in the FA Cup.
“They managed to win the game, but the fact that they put out a nearly full-strength squad and suffered such a scare is a startling example of where they are as a club at the moment.
“If Wolves win this, they go above Manchester United in the table.
“That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise – Wolves are nine games unbeaten at home, while Manchester United were on a run of five winless games on their travels before beating Wigan Athletic and Newport.”
Merson’s scoreline prediction for Wolves vs United
Ten Hag will be all too aware of what defeat to Wolves on Thursday could mean for United’s hopes of securing Champions League football for next season.
Merson has suggested that Wolves will defeat the Red Devils at home and backed a 2-1 scoreline for the Premier League match.
However, the Sky Sports pundit went one step further and claimed that defeat would be the nail in the coffin for United’s top-four Premier League challenge this season.
“I think Wolves will win this one and end Manchester United’s hopes of a top-four finish once and for all,” Merson continued.
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