Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson thinks Chelsea will beat Ruud van Nistelrooyâs Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Assistant coach Van Nistelrooy has been put in interim charge of Man Utd after Erik ten Hag was relieved of his duties on Monday.
Van Nistelrooy inspired a 5-2 victory over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening and will be in charge against Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.
The club hoped the deal to appoint Sporting head coach Ruben Amorim would have been finalised in time for the Red Devilsâ clash against Enzo Marescaâs side, but they have been unable to waive his notice period in Lisbon.
Amorim might not be in place until after the November international break, with his first match expected to be against Ipswich Town on the 24th.
That means Van Nistelrooy is preparing the Man Utd first-team squad for Sundayâs match at home to Chelsea and potentially two more fixtures.
Despite the Red Devilsâ improvement in front of goal against Leicester, the Blues go into the fixture as favourites.
Arsenal icon Merson thinks Van Nistelrooy has too much to do in a short period of time and that Chelsea will expose a âlazyâ Man Utd press by âplaying through themâ.
He told Sportskeeda: âI think Chelsea will win this game. I only say that because theyâll 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.
âI donât think United will do that up front, theyâre just lazy. So I have a feeling that Chelsea can play through them and win the gameâŠ
âUnited went and won 5-2 against Leicester in their cup game.
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âIâm thinking if Ten Hag was still there, Chelsea would be huge favorites in this game. But with Ruud van Nistelrooy in charge now, there will be a change for sure.
âThey still look at bit disjointed though, not what you expect from a proper team.
âThe problem is that United donât have enough time to work on these things and beat Chelsea this weekend.â
Merson predicted a 3-1 win for Chelsea and former Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling also thinks Marescaâs men will leave Old Trafford with three points.
âChelsea will hope thereâs no new manager bounce,â Stelling told talkSPORT. âBut thereâs no question that some of those players who didnât see eye to eye with Erik ten Hag will have a point to make.
âChelsea, though, have been irresistible, particularly going forward. Yes, they have their defensive vulnerabilities.
âThey havenât won at Old Trafford for many a year, not since 2012. But I think the long wait could soon be over.
âIâm going to go for Chelsea to win this one. Manchester United 1-2 Chelsea.â
