Paul Merson is now convinced that Michael Carrick must make two major tweaks to his Manchester United starting XI for the upcoming showdown with Chelsea.
Michael Carrick experienced his first home defeat as interim head coach on Monday evening after 10-man Manchester United fell short against rivals Leeds United.
Man Utd returned to action against Leeds United after a 24-day wait amid the March international break and the Red Devils being out of the FA Cup competition.
Monday’s Premier League result was a key setback for United legend Carrick ahead of the Red Devils visiting Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Saturday evening.
READ MORE: Paul Scholes and Gary Neville both disagree with Roy Keane and Ian Wright over Chelsea vs Man Utd prediction
Michael Carrick reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford in Manchester, England.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
What are your thoughts on Alejandro Garnacho ahead of United facing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge?
Will he even get off the bench this time?
Getty Images
Paul Merson singles out Bryan Mbeumo and Kobbie Mainoo under Michael Carrick for the Man Utd vs Chelsea
Michael Carrick made the massive decision to drop Bryan Mbeumo and start Benjamin Sesko for Manchester United’s defeat to Leeds United earlier this week.
The 44-year-old Man Utd interim head coach was also without England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who had been ruled out of action due to a minor injury in training.
More United News
Manuel Ugarte was handed a rare Premier League start and Carrick deployed him in his two-man United midfield pivot alongside Casemiro for Monday evening’s match.
Speaking in his Sportskeeda column, Paul Merson felt that Carrick’s Man Utd side struggled after Bryan Mbeumo and Kobbie Mainoo were not in the starting XI.
“Manchester United were poor against Leeds and have a few injuries to deal with,” he said.
“I don’t know why Bryan Mbeumo did not start that game, though. And Casemiro is nowhere near the same player without Kobbie Mainoo next to him!”
READ MORE: Gary Neville and Paul Scholes highlight tactical error that held Michael Carrick back in Man Utd defeat to Leeds
SURELY Ayden Heaven will start vs Chelsea? Or will Carrick try and find another solution? 🤔
Heaven played more minutes under Fletcher than so far under Carrick!
Getty Images
Paul Merson makes a Benjamin Sesko claim and a Premier League scoreline prediction for the Man Utd match against Chelsea
Bryan Mbeumo came on in the second half for Man Utd against Leeds after Carrick withdrew Amad Diallo from the Premier League contest at Old Trafford.
Benjamin Sesko was unable to make an impact after he started for the Red Devils and Merson thinks the Slovenia striker should not start against Chelsea now.
“I would probably leave Benjamin Sesko out of the line-up against Chelsea,” Merson added.
“He’s someone who they can bring on to make an impact off the bench.
“The other day, against Leeds, they had no one who could do that as a substitute because Sesko was in the starting XI.
“Chelsea could be ninth in the league by the end of the week, if they don’t win this game. I actually think they can trouble United. Backing Chelsea to get a win!”
Mbeumo believes that Chelsea will secure all three Premier League points on Saturday and has backed the Blues to beat Man Utd 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox