Paul Merson has given strong guidance to Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, advising him to exclude Jadon Sancho from the starting lineup in their upcoming match against Manchester United.
Merson believes that Chelsea holds the advantage and can outmaneuver United at Old Trafford, provided Maresca makes the right tactical choices.
Chelsea approaches this fixture with a need to recover from a recent setback in the Carabao Cup, where they were defeated by Newcastle United.
This loss was particularly frustrating as Chelsea had recently beaten Newcastle in the Premier League.
Despite the disappointment of the cup exit, Merson views it as a minor blemish on what has otherwise been a positive start for Maresca at Stamford Bridge.
He expects Chelsea to bounce back with vigor against a Manchester United team that has been struggling and sees a chance for the Blues to assert dominance if they capitalize on their strengths.
Merson is adamant in recommending that Pedro Neto should start over Sancho.
Sancho, who joined Chelsea on loan from Manchester United with an agreement to make the move permanent next summer, has had mixed performances so far.
While he has provided three assists, he is yet to score and is still adjusting to Maresca’s tactical approach.
Merson argues that Neto’s explosive speed and direct attacking style would be more effective at exploiting United’s defensive vulnerabilities than Sancho’s more deliberate play.
According to Merson, Sancho’s tendency to slow the pace could hinder Chelsea, especially against United, who often struggle against fast, aggressive forwards.
Adding intrigue to the upcoming match, former United forward Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to take on the role of interim manager following the recent dismissal of Erik ten Hag.
United is currently in talks with Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, hoping to secure him as their next permanent manager.
Merson supports the decision to part ways with Ten Hag, stating that he failed to achieve the consistency United needed.
He also sees United’s current difficulties as a symptom of deeper problems within the club.
Merson believes Van Nistelrooy’s limited preparation time will hinder United’s ability to effectively compete against Chelsea.
He notes that United’s tactical confusion and lack of intensity are not issues that can be solved overnight.
This, Merson suggests, gives Chelsea a significant opportunity to capitalize on United’s weaknesses and potentially claim an important victory.
Merson also weighed in on Ruben Amorim, United’s potential new manager, acknowledging his strong track record in Portugal.
While he sees Amorim as a promising option who could bring stability to Old Trafford, Merson warns that the Premier League is a different challenge altogether.
The intensity and competitiveness of English football would require Amorim to adapt quickly to succeed.
In summary, Merson is clear in his assessment of the match: Chelsea has a prime chance to take advantage of United’s turbulent state, but it depends on Maresca making the right strategic moves, including benching Sancho for Neto.
Merson expects Chelsea’s aggressive style to be overwhelming for United’s unsettled lineup, especially with Van Nistelrooy only temporarily at the helm.
