'I think': Paul Merson has now predicted who will win – Chelsea or Man Utd
Today at 12:15 PM
Manchester United face Chelsea this weekend in what should be a very interesting clash between two historically huge sides.
United and Chelsea haven't had the best of fortunes in recent years, but there's still a very special feeling around this game whenever these two sides meet.
This is the first Premier League game of the post-Erik ten Hag era for Manchester United, and they will be hoping to kickstart this new chapter with a win in front of their own fans.
Ruben Amorim has been appointed as Ten Hag's replacement, but Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of this game.
Van Nistelrooy actually didn't have the best of records against Chelsea as a player for Manchester United, and he will want to change that here.
| Ruud van Nistelrooy record vs Chelsea as a player | |
| Games | 9 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Wins | 3 |
| Draws | 2 |
| Losses | 4 |
Writing in his column for Sportskeeda, Paul Merson has been previewing this game, and he's shared his verdict on how this match will go.
Paul Merson tips Chelsea to beat Manchester United
Merson shared his verdict on how this game will go.
The pundit backed a Chelsea win, claiming that United's laziness in terms of pressing from the front will play into the Blues' hands.
"I think Chelsea will win this game. I only say that because they’ll play out from the back and the only way they can get beat is if teams get the ball from them high up the pitch by closing them down. I don’t think United will do that up front, they’re just lazy. So I have a feeling that Chelsea can play through them and win the game," Merson wrote.
"Chelsea rested many of their players during the Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle, but I didn’t understand their decision to keep Cole Palmer on the bench. If you don’t want to play him, why are you taking him all the way to Newcastle for the game? Just allow him to rest at home instead of asking him to take the long trip and sit on the bench all night."
Chelsea's record at Old Trafford
Merson backs Chelsea to get a win against United here, but the Blues' recent record at Old Trafford would suggest that they're underdogs heading into this game.
Indeed, Chelsea haven't won away at Manchester United in over 10 years now.
| Date | Manchester United vs Chelsea last 10 league meetings |
| 6/12/23 | Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea |
| 25/5/23 | Manchester United 4-1 Chelsea |
| 28/4/22 | Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea |
| 24/10/20 | Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea |
| 11/8/19 | Manchester United 4-0 Chelsea |
| 28/4/19 | Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea |
| 25/2/18 | Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea |
| 16/4/17 | Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea |
| 28/12/15 | Mancester United 0-0 Chelsea |
| 26/10/14 | Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea |
Chelsea's record against United at Old Trafford certainly makes for grim reading, but if ever there was a time for the Blues to change this trend, it's now.
Cole Palmer is in incredible form for Chelsea right now, and with United only having an interim manager in charge, the Blues may well have a chance to capitalise here.
A trip to Old Trafford is never easy, especially when there is change afoot at United, and while the crowd may be excited by the dawning of a new era, it’s Chelsea’s job to rain on that parade on Sunday.
Enzo Maresca will be hoping to end Chelsea’s poor run of form at Manchester United.
