Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has admitted that he would be “shocked” if one outcome doesn’t play out from Manchester United’s clash with Arsenal on Sunday.
Manchester United are 14th in the Premier League table under manager Ruben Amorim and the Red Devils are 16 points clear of 18th-place Ipswich Town.
The Red Devils have won only nine Premier League matches in the 2024-25 campaign, with United 14 points adrift from fourth-place Manchester City.
United had a disastrous start to the Premier League season under Erik ten Hag and the Red Devils’ lacklustre form has continued under Ruben Amorim.
Amorim has faced an uphill task at the Premier League club after he left Sporting CP and replaced former United manager Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford dugout.
The Red Devils’ FA Cup title defence fell short last Sunday after Fulham knocked United out of the competition on penalties at Old Trafford.
Amorim’s most realistic bet of lifting major silverware and securing Champions League football for next season can only come through the Europa League.
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Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Paul Merson reveals ‘worry’ for Man Utd ahead of Arsenal match
Manchester United reached the Europa League knockout rounds after climbing out of the league phase format under Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim.
The Red Devils travelled to Spain for their first-leg round-of-16 Europa League tie against La Liga club Real Sociedad on Thursday evening.
Paul Merson said at the time that he couldn’t see United “blowing Real Sociedad away in the Europa League” before turning their full attention to Arsenal.
Speaking in his Sportskeeda column on Thursday, he said: “If we were talking about this fixture 10 years ago, what a game.
“But still from a fans’ perspective, this is still one of the biggest games in English football. I worry for Manchester United if I’m being honest.
“I can’t imagine them blowing Real Sociedad away in the Europa League and then quickly shifting full focus to this game.”
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What is Paul Merson’s prediction for Man Utd vs Arsenal?
Merson insisted that United now face a “dangerous” match against Arsenal after the Gunners are able to put their full focus on the Premier League clash at Old Trafford.
Arsenal have one foot in the door for the Champions League quarter-finals after the Gunners thumped PSV Eindhoven 7-1 away from home in the last 16 on Tuesday.
Merson has now backed former side Arsenal to come out on top against United and the Sky Sports pundit has tipped a 3-1 scoreline for Mikel Arteta’s men.
“I’d be shocked if Arsenal don’t win,” he said.
“Their qualification to the Champions League quarter-final is sealed thanks to the 7-1 first-leg win and they can now have a real go here. That makes this a dangerous game for United.
“Arsenal have to keep winning every single game from now on and hope Liverpool slip up.
“Historically, Manchester United have always turned up for games against Arsenal. But honestly, I don’t see them doing it this weekend!”
United have won two of their last five league matches ahead of the Arsenal clash, while the Gunners have picked up three victories in their last five league fixtures.
Amorim’s men welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford for their Premier League showdown on Sunday, with kick-off slated for 4:30pm UK time.