Paul Merson has explained what he feels is completely different about the upcoming Manchester Derby, agreeing with Roy Keane’s scoreline prediction.
Manchester United resumed their campaign earlier this week after the March international break, and Rúben Amorim is now gearing up for a massive clash against Manchester City at Old Trafford.
Tuesday’s 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest was a frustrating setback, with United once again struggling to convert chances. Still, there were positives to take from the performance, particularly the team’s improved confidence and control in possession.
Amorim will be hoping his side can take that progress a step further when they welcome Pep Guardiola’s City on Sunday afternoon for the latest chapter of the Manchester Derby.
With the Europa League quarter-finals approaching, the Portuguese manager will also have one eye on next Thursday’s trip to face Olympique Lyonnais in France.
Why this Manchester derby is different
Ahead of the fixture, former Arsenal winger Paul Merson penned his thoughts for the upcoming derby and explained he feels this fixture is completely different to previous years because it is far from a foregone conclusion.
“The Manchester derby this time around isn’t a foregone conclusion like in the past few years,” Merson explained to Sportskeeda.
“I feel Manchester United have a chance. It’s not like City are playing well, and I don’t expect them to dominate the hosts at Old Trafford.
“Jack Grealish looked good in that deeper midfield role against Leicester. But I don’t really know how much that performance really means cause Leicester are one of the worst teams in the division!
“All I’m saying is that City isn’t at their best, and that gives United a strong chance to get something from this game.”
Merson agrees with Keane’s prediction
Merson went on to predict a 1-1 scoreline at Old Trafford for the Sunday afternoon slugfest, which is the same scoreline that former United midfielder Roy Keane handed.
Gary Neville, though, had a different idea. Although Neville still felt the tie would end in a draw, he explained that the fixture would have more goals and end 2-2, also encouraged by United’s ability to turn up in big games under Amorim.
“United have done well in big games, haven’t they,” Neville said. “In big games [against] Arsenal, Liverpool, City, they’ve done pretty well in them games… I think it could be a draw.”
With United looking to reconcile after the 1-0 loss against Forest earlier this week, Amorim will be making sure his side are in tip-top shape and looking to beat the odds ahead of the Old Trafford fixture on Sunday.
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