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Paul Merson has given his score prediction for Man United vs Nottingham Forest
Ruben Amorim’s side have beaten four of their last five league opponents, including Chelsea and Liverpool. Their latest 4-2 win over Brighton saw Bryan Mbeumo get on the scoresheet once again with his third and fourth goals for his new side in the Premier League.
Fellow summer signing Matheus Cunha also scored his first goal in red. Paul Merson believes the duo could strike up a similar partnership to Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole but has stressed there is much more pressure on the two now than there was at their previous clubs.
Paul Merson makes Man United Premier League top five claim
Despite Nottingham Forest struggling in the bottom three, Merson doesn’t believe it will be an easy outing for United.
Amorim’s side will face the East Midlands outfit on their soil at the City Ground. Forest are in desperate need of a positive run of results to avoid being pulled into an ongoing relegation battle this season. So far, they have just one win on the board and have lost four of their last five games.
Merson described United as ‘turning a corner’ compared to last season’s dismal finish and believes a win this afternoon will indicate their top five chances. However, the Sky Sports pundit believes Forest will frustrate Amorim and co on the banks of the River Trent.
“I would only rate Manchester United's chances of finishing in the top five after this game,” Merson predicted in his latest Sportskeeda column. “Form and consistency are two different things. If they beat Forest, you would have to think they are contenders for a top-five finish. But I doubt they can get three points in this game.”
Merson has backed United to draw 1-1 with Nottingham Forest this afternoon.
Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo backed to be a ‘success’ at Man United
Merson continued to discuss Cunha and Mbeumo, who arrived at Old Trafford from Wolves and Brentford respectively over the summer as United bolstered their attacking options. The pair were star players for their former clubs last season but Merson has stressed the importance of them upping their game and remaining consistent with United.
“Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha look good. Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole used to be an unbelievable partnership and these two could become a success like that duo at Manchester United,” he said.
“Mbeumo and Cunha will always create problems for opponents, it's just that they have to do it consistently. The teams they played for last season, Brentford and Wolves, they weren't the most consistent sides. So Mbeumo and Cunha haven't had that pressure of playing well every single weekend.
“But now they're at United and more is expected. If Brentford or Wolves lose to Nottingham Forest, no one bats an eyelid. But if it's Manchester United and they end up losing, the headlines just write on their own. That is what Mbeumo and Cunha have to deal with now.”
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