Manchester United v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Paul Merson has talked up Man Utd’s Champions League hopes (Picture: Getty)
Paul Merson believes Manchester United have a ‘huge advantage’ over top-four rivals Chelsea and Liverpool.
The Red Devils are fourth in the Premier League ahead of Saturday’s clash against Tottenham at Old Trafford.
United were out of the Champions League spots when Ruben Amorim was sacking almost a month ago but three successive wins under caretaker boss Michael Carrick has taken the club back above Chelsea and Liverpool.
The Premier League is again on course to gain an extra Champions League spot with the top-five set to qualify instead of the traditional top-four.
While the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool will have one eye on their European commitments, United can focus entirely on their Premier League fixtures and Merson believes this gives them a ‘huge advantage’.
Manchester United host Tottenham having beaten Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham and Merson expects Carrick to secure a fourth successive win against Spurs.
‘This is a massive football match,’ Carrick told Sportskeeda. ‘Michael Carrick has started brilliantly at Manchester United, but we saw the same with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Get your football fix
Don't want to miss the week's biggest football stories? Metro's exclusive football newsletter, In The Mixer, is your essential guide.
From the latest transfer rumours and managerial moves to analysis of the biggest games and a lot more, our experts have you covered.
Sign up here, it's an open goal.
Manchester United v Fulham - Premier League
Man Utd are flying under caretaker boss Michael Carrick (Picture: Getty)
‘The only way Carrick can get this job permanently is if he loses four games and then responds by turning that run around. That is how you get measured in big jobs.
‘I believe Solskjaer couldn’t do it. If Carrick can do it, then we know he can cope with the pressure at Old Trafford.
‘It’s difficult to think who starts for Manchester United in this game. Do they go with Benjamin Sesko because he scored the late winner against Fulham?
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Premier League
Thomas Frank takes Tottenham to Old Trafford (Picture: Getty)
‘I’m not so sure. Sometimes, it suits these players to come off the bench rather than start a game.
‘At the moment, I would say Manchester United are the big favourites to finish in the top five. That win over Fulham was a huge result.
‘They only play once a week as well, which is a huge advantage compared to Liverpool and Chelsea. So I would have to call them favourites even though it’s still very tight.
‘Carrick will show Tottenham a lot of respect. I think this is a hard game to call. Spurs are obviously a better team when they have Dominic Solanke in their line-up.
‘But I’m going to go for a 3-1 Manchester United win here.’
While United play host to Thomas Frank’s Tottenham, Chelsea visit bottom-placed Wolves and Liverpool fact Premier League title challengers Manchester City.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Granit Xhaka injury update ahead of Arsenal v Sunderland clash
MORE: Man City legend Sergio Aguero reveals he nearly left to join Premier League rival
MORE: ‘Stay in your f*****g half’ – Liam Rosenior explains X-rated Arsenal rant
Football Newsletter – In The Mixer
Punchy analysis, transfer talk and more from Metro's football experts, sent straight to your inbox every week.