Erik ten Hag’s Man Utd are nine points off the top four (Photo: Getty)
Manchester United must beat Tottenham on Sunday if they are to stand any chance of finishing in the Premier League top four.
That is the opinion of Paul Merson who is predicting that the match at Old Trafford will have a ‘lorry-load of goals’.
United are currently eighth in the table, nine points off fourth-placed Arsenal and eight off Tottenham in fifth, and if results go their way Spurs could jump up to second.
Though it has been a disappointing season so far, the opportunity to finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League is certainly not lost, though defeat this weekend would make things very difficult.
But Merson believes it will be near impossible for Erik ten Hag’s side to recover if they don’t get three points – which he believes will be the case.
‘If Tottenham win this, they’ll leapfrog Arsenal in the table, meaning the Gunners drop out of the top four,’ Gunners legend Merson told Sportskeeda.
‘Literally three weeks ago, Mikel Arteta’s side were the team to beat and were at the top of the table, but they could be fifth when the action concludes this weekend, which is just unbelievable.
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs are fifth in the table (Photo: Getty)
‘Manchester United, on the other hand, are nine points behind Arsenal and face an uphill battle to secure a UEFA Champions League spot next season. They need to win this game to stand a chance of finishing in the top four, but they haven’t been consistent this season.
‘It’s so hard to predict Manchester United but one thing is for sure – they tend to show up when their backs are up against the wall.
‘I predict a lorry-load of goals in this one and will be shocked if it ends goalless, so I’m going for a 2-2 draw.’
Timo Werner could make his Spurs debut against Man Utd
The match could see the Spurs debut of Timo Werner who has moved to North London on loan from RB Leipzig having been previously linked with the Red Devils.
The Chelsea flop’s return to England has certainly raised eyebrows, but Merson believes it could be a success, if the forward does one thing.
‘Timo Werner has been the talk of the town after sealing a surprise loan move to Tottenham,’ he added.
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‘I watched this guy a lot when he was at Chelsea and I can’t remember a player who was flagged offside more often than him. I can understand a striker being over-eager to get behind the backline if he’s slow, but Werner is lightning-quick, so I have no idea why he always found himself in an offside position.
‘If he manages to sort out this problem, I truly think this transfer could turn out to be a masterstroke from Ange Postecoglou.’
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‘It’s so hard to predict United but one thing is for sure…’