Paul Merson predicts that the £36 million Man United star should be benched against Tottenham, saying, “If truly Ten Hag wants the success of this club, then this player should not start against Tottenham.”
On Sunday afternoon, Manchester United will play their first game back at Old Trafford against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Red Devils, who have drawn twice already in the Premier League—against Twente and Crystal Palace—will be itching to go back.
Erik ten Hag and his team are under intense pressure to turn things around against Spurs after Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Twente on Wednesday night marked the team’s Europa League debut.
After winning just two of their first five league games, United is now ranked eleventh in the Premier League standings.
Tottenham and United share the same record, and Ange Postecoglou’s team has so far had a similar fate of controlling games but not earning the maximum number of points.
The significance of Sunday’s match is increased by the fact that both teams underperformed when they began the season with the goal of finishing in the top four.
Rasmus Hojlund will replace Joshua Zirkzee at United. The team’s defense has actually improved this season, with their main problem coming from the opposing end of the field.
With the exception of the Barnsley game, United has had difficulty finishing possession. They still have the most huge chances squandered in the Premier League.
With several choices available in every attacking position, Ten Hag will have a difficult time making his starting lineup for the game on Sunday.
Marcus Rashford’s exclusion from the starting lineup for the trip to Crystal Palace has generated a lot of debate, but he looked good when he was added back to the starting lineup against Twente.
Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund are also vying for the striker position following the Dane’s injury return.
Prior to Sunday’s match, Merson expressed his opinion that Hojlund and Marcus Rashford need to start for Tottenham.
Merson stated, via SportSkeeda: “I believe Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund should both play whenever they are well.
“They will have an advantage in attack if they can find out a way to play Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho together.
The odd thing is, though, that if they all played together, I would be shocked. The previous day, we witnessed Rashford sitting on the bench even at his best moments.
It implies that, despite Joshua Zirkzee’s recent impressive showings against Ten Hag, Merson would want to see the £36 million summer acquisition demoted from the starting lineup in favor of Hojlund.
Paul Merson makes his Man United vs. Tottenham predictions.
Merson has forecasted “loads of goals” for Sunday’s match and is excited for Hojlund and Rashford to get going.
