Merson and Sutton Offer Predictions for Man Utd vs Tottenham as Carrick's Start Comes Under Scrutiny
Tottenham Hotspur are set to face a resurgent Manchester United at Old Trafford this Saturday afternoon in a highly anticipated Premier League encounter. Spurs are coming off a strong week, having secured a significant victory in the Champions League and then staging a remarkable comeback from two goals down to draw with Manchester City.
Thomas Frank's Spurs Aim to Disrupt Carrick's Momentum
Under the guidance of Thomas Frank, Tottenham will be looking to build on their recent results and play the role of party poopers against Michael Carrick's impressive start as interim boss at Manchester United. Carrick has enjoyed a flawless beginning to his tenure, winning all three of his initial league matches, including notable triumphs over Arsenal and Manchester City.
This fixture stands out as one of the most intriguing ties of the Premier League weekend, prompting predictions from notable football pundits Paul Merson of SportsKeeda and Chris Sutton from BBC Sport.
Paul Merson's Analysis and Prediction
Paul Merson emphasised the significance of this match, stating, "This is a massive football match. Michael Carrick has started brilliantly at Manchester United, but we saw the same with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Ole at the wheel and all that!" He highlighted that the true test for Carrick will be how he handles potential setbacks, noting that losing games and then turning things around is a key measure in high-pressure roles.
Merson expressed uncertainty over Manchester United's starting lineup, particularly regarding Benjamin Sesko, who scored a late winner against Fulham. He suggested that sometimes players like Sesko might be more effective coming off the bench rather than starting.
Currently, Merson views Manchester United as strong favourites to secure a top-five finish, citing their recent win over Fulham and the advantage of playing only once a week compared to rivals like Liverpool and Chelsea. Despite acknowledging Tottenham's strength with Dominic Solanke in the lineup, he predicts a Manchester United 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur victory.
Chris Sutton's Perspective and Forecast
Chris Sutton offered a slightly more cautious view, pointing out that Manchester United were somewhat fortunate to beat Fulham in their last outing, where a draw might have been a fairer result. He praised Benjamin Sesko for his decisive goal but noted an earlier missed opportunity.
On Tottenham's side, Sutton commended their impressive comeback against Manchester City and reiterated his high regard for Dominic Solanke, stating that Spurs perform significantly better when he is in the team. While he expects Solanke to score in this match, Sutton cautioned against getting overly carried away with United's form under Carrick. Ultimately, he predicts a 2-1 win for Manchester United, believing they will find a way to secure the three points.
This clash promises to be a pivotal moment in both teams' seasons, with Carrick's interim leadership under the microscope and Tottenham aiming to prove their mettle against a resurgent opponent.
