April 2nd 2024.
Former Premier League player and current sports analyst Paul Merson has shared his thoughts on the upcoming match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. Merson believes that the pressure will be on United's manager, Erik ten Hag, if his team fails to win in their next two games.
Both Chelsea and United have been struggling this season, with neither team living up to their expectations. Chelsea, who have spent a staggering amount of money on new signings, have failed to impress under their new manager Mauricio Pochettino. They are currently in the bottom half of the Premier League table, closer to the relegation zone than the top spot currently held by Liverpool.
Meanwhile, United have also had a disappointing season, sitting five places and eight points above Chelsea. They were also knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage, adding to their frustrations. Ten Hag's team faces an uphill battle to qualify for the Champions League next season, with Tottenham and Aston Villa currently ahead of them in the standings.
Looking ahead to United's midweek trip to Stamford Bridge, Merson expressed his concerns about the team's performance. He stated, "Manchester United are a million miles away from the likes of Liverpool at the moment. Liverpool have been able to field young players, while United are still far behind them."
Merson also highlighted United's recent performance against Brentford, which he found to be "very worrying." He questioned whether the team would give Ten Hag another chance at the end of the season, as it will ultimately be up to the club to make a decision.
When it comes to predicting the outcome of the game, Merson admitted that it's a difficult task. He stated, "It's not even a big game, is it? This used to be a mouthwatering fixture. But now, one of these teams was ripped apart by Brentford, and the other couldn't dominate a ten-man Burnley side."
Merson believes that the pressure will be on both managers, as neither team would want to lose this match. He also mentioned that if Ten Hag loses to Chelsea and then again to Liverpool next week, he will be under "massive pressure."
Despite the home advantage, Merson doesn't see Chelsea as being dominant in this game. He believes that it will be a tough match, but ultimately, Chelsea should be able to secure a win. He predicts a 2-1 victory for the home team.
In conclusion, Merson sees this as a crucial game for both teams, with a lot at stake for the managers. He also points out that Chelsea fans will have Brentford's recent win against United in mind, and a failure to win against them could be a big concern for the home team. Fans can expect an intense and closely contested match between these two struggling sides.
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