🏟️🔥“You want to stand a chance against Manchester United you have to bench because he will slow down your game which will give them the advantage as they have gotten a better manager” – Paul Merson advises Enzo Maresca to drop a key Chelsea player ahead of the crucial match against Manchester United.

Paul Merson has offered strong advice to Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, suggesting that he should leave Jadon Sancho out of the starting lineup for Chelsea’s upcoming showdown with Manchester United. Merson is confident that Chelsea has the upper hand and can outplay United at Old Trafford, especially if Maresca makes the right tactical decisions.

Chelsea heads into this fixture seeking redemption after a frustrating Carabao Cup loss to Newcastle United, a team they had recently beaten in the Premier League. While that cup defeat may sting, Merson views it as a minor hiccup in what has otherwise been a promising start to Maresca’s tenure at Stamford Bridge. He expects the Blues to come out strong against a struggling Manchester United side and sees an opportunity for them to dominate if they play to their strengths.

However, Merson is firm in his recommendation that Pedro Neto should start over Sancho. Sancho, who arrived at Chelsea on loan from United with a purchase obligation set for next summer, has had a mixed run of form so far. Though he has contributed three assists, he has yet to find the net himself and is still adapting to Maresca’s system. Merson argues that Neto, with his explosive pace and direct style, could expose United’s defensive frailties better than Sancho. He believes that Sancho’s tendency to slow the game down could be counterproductive against a team like United, which can struggle against quick and aggressive attackers.

Adding intrigue to the fixture, former United star Ruud van Nistelrooy is expected to serve as interim manager for this crucial game, following Erik ten Hag’s recent dismissal. United is currently negotiating with Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, with hopes that he will become their permanent manager. Merson sees United’s struggles as indicative of deeper issues within the club, and he agrees with the decision to part ways with Ten Hag, who had been unable to instill the consistency United so desperately needs.

Reflecting further on United’s current state, Merson believes that Van Nistelrooy will not have enough time to prepare the team effectively for Chelsea’s visit. He feels that United’s tactical disarray and lack of intensity on the field will be hard to address on such short notice. In Merson’s view, these weaknesses present Chelsea with a golden opportunity to exploit United’s vulnerabilities and potentially secure a crucial victory.

Merson also shared his thoughts on Ruben Amorim, United’s rumored managerial target. He acknowledges Amorim’s impressive record in Portugal, suggesting that he has the potential to bring much-needed stability to Old Trafford. Yet Merson cautions that the Premier League presents a far greater challenge than the Portuguese league, and Amorim would need to adapt quickly to the league’s intensity and competition if he’s to succeed.

Overall, Merson’s outlook on the clash is clear: he believes Chelsea is well-positioned to capitalize on United’s turbulent situation, provided Maresca makes the right calls, including benching Sancho in favor of Neto. He anticipates that Chelsea’s strong, aggressive style will ultimately be too much for United’s unsettled squad to handle, especially under the temporary guidance of Van

Nistelrooy.