Manchester United returns to Premier League action this weekend when they travel to Newcastle United.
Erik ten Hag’s team was coming off a bruising Champions League tie against Manchester United, which should have resulted in a win.
Nonetheless, they’re doing well in the Premier League. The manager and his coaching staff have led the first-team squad to three wins in three games in November, culminating in a 3-0 thrashing at Goodison Park.
A trip to Tyneside, on the other hand, will be a very other task. The Red Devils are bracing themselves for a slugfest.
Paul Merson predicts Newcastle United vs Manchester United
Paul Merson, for one, believes Saturday will be a difficult assignment for Ten Hag’s team. He said the following about the game, then predicted the score (via Sportskeeda).
‘After their midweek games, both of these teams must be devastated. Newcastle must have thought they had qualified before PSG scored just before the final whistle. They were fantastic, but a travesty of a VAR ruling ruined their party.’
‘Manchester United continues to blow leads. With a 3-1 score against Galatasaray, it seemed like a basketball game. It was really open. Erik ten Hag must realize that he is no longer in charge of Ajax.’
‘He needs to learn how to shut up shop. You don’t have to entertain all the time. Sometimes, you have to take the pragmatic route. I think their chances of making it through to the knockout stages of the Champions League are still alive by the way. That’s because I believe Bayern might play a weakened squad against them as they’ve already qualified.’
‘Manchester United are more ruthless than Chelsea but the Magpies were excellent last weekend and I’d be shocked if they don’t win this week.’
Paul Merson’s Prediction: Newcastle United 3-1 Manchester United
Paul Merson on Manchester United’s problems
He also spoke of some of the issues that justified his decision to predict a Manchester United loss:
‘United have a few issues to address though. Firstly, Andre Onana should have saved both of Hakim Ziyech’s goals. It was an extremely disappointing performance and as the goalkeeper of such a big club, you cannot keep costing your team big wins.’
‘United booted De Gea out of the club and the consensus seemed to be that they would be able to challenge for titles with a better goalkeeper. But it has just not worked out with Onana, has it?’
‘Secondly, they have to trust Kobbie Mainoo to play at the base of midfield. He did a great job against Everton last weekend and I don’t know why they went with Sofyan Amrabat against Galatasaray. It must have something to do with not throwing a young player in the deep end in as hostile an environment as the RAMS Park.’
‘But if you’re good enough, you’re old enough. Mainoo should start here but even then, I don’t see Manchester United toughing it out against Newcastle United.’
On Saturday, December 2, 2023, the Red Devils will face Newcastle at 8:00 PM GMT. Let us hope Merson is mistaken.
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