Paul Merson makes a surprising prediction for the Manchester City vs Manchester United match

“I thought Manchester United were really good against Burnley. It was a bit like the Manchester United of old times. But they still needed a penalty at the end to win that game, and that is a concern if you ask me. Manchester City looked comfortable until the substitutions changed the game for Brighton. I’m looking for reasons to back City here, and I can’t find any if I’m being honest!

“They don’t have a player like David Silva or Kevin De Bruyne anymore, so who is going to step up? Julian Alvarez was the kind of player who could have picked the ball up and pulled off something special in games like these, but they don’t have him either!

“Erling Haaland isn’t that type of a player; he relies on people like Silva and De Bruyne for service. And I’ve always said that Jeremy Doku is a hit-and-miss, so this isn’t the dominant Manchester City we once knew.

“City were terrible against Tottenham at the Etihad. I actually think Manchester United’s front-three can hurt them in this game. I say that, despite having the opinion that United will not finish in the top six this season, you can imagine what I think of City at the moment! 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.”

Quote via: The Metro

Thoughts on his Prediction:

There is truth in what Merson says, especially after City’s consecutive defeats to Tottenham and Brighton. The absence of players like Rodri and Ruben Dias has disrupted their balance, and Rayan Aït-Nouri’s recent injury has made them look even more vulnerable [Editor’s note: Aït-Nouri plays for Wolves, please confirm the intended player]. City’s centrally based attacking pattern has become easier to read for opponents and is making them vulnerable on the counter-attack. Amorim’s side often build pressure with a high press before sitting compact, a style that can trouble City.

Still, United also have problems. Injuries to Cunha and Mount have disrupted the attacking balance, and at times the team have relied too much on individual skill. Although Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo showed against Burnley that United can create chances with quick passing and wing play, they need to replicate it more often. Amorim again praised Senne Lammens in midfield, showing that the squad has both depth and competition, which strengthens the dressing-room atmosphere [Editor’s note: Lammens is a goalkeeper, not a midfielder].

If United want a positive result, they must target City’s weaker left flank. Players such as Noussair Mazraoui can create chances with crosses. If Kobbie Mainoo plays, he and Casemiro must win the midfield battle to slow City down. The key will be to take advantage of quick counter-attacks, as the pace of players like Antony and Diallo can break City’s high line. Merson’s prediction points to a draw, and it is a realistic outcome. Still, if the match tilts in one direction, our hearts would be rooting for United to win at that moment.