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 given Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca firm advice, suggesting that he should exclude Jadon Sancho from the starting eleven for Chelsea’s upcoming clash with Manchester United. Merson is confident that Chelsea can outplay United at Old Trafford, particularly if Maresca makes key tactical choices.

Chelsea enters this game seeking redemption after a frustrating Carabao Cup loss to Newcastle United, a team they had recently defeated in the Premier League. While the cup defeat stings, Merson sees it as a minor setback in an otherwise strong start to Maresca’s time at Stamford Bridge. He anticipates that the Blues will come out strong against a struggling United side, with the potential to dominate if they play to their strengths.

Merson is clear in his recommendation that Pedro Neto should start instead of Sancho. Sancho, who joined Chelsea on loan from United with an obligation to buy next summer, has had mixed form so far. While he’s contributed three assists, he hasn’t scored and is still adjusting to Maresca’s system. Merson argues that Neto’s speed and direct play could better exploit United’s defensive weaknesses than Sancho. He believes Sancho’s tendency to slow the game down could be a disadvantage against United, which struggles against fast, aggressive attackers.

Adding to the drama, 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 in talks with Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, hoping he will become their permanent manager. Merson sees United’s issues as symptoms of deeper problems within the club and agrees with the decision to part ways with Ten Hag, who had struggled to bring consistency to United.

Reflecting on United’s current state, Merson believes that Van Nistelrooy will have limited time to prepare the team for Chelsea’s visit. He thinks United’s tactical instability and lack of intensity will be hard to resolve on such short notice. In Merson’s view, these weaknesses give Chelsea a prime opportunity to exploit United’s vulnerabilities and potentially secure a critical victory.

Merson also commented on Ruben Amorim, United’s rumored managerial candidate. He acknowledges Amorim’s success in Portugal, suggesting he could bring much-needed stability to Old Trafford. However, Merson warns that the Premier League presents a much tougher challenge than the Portuguese league, and Amorim would need to adapt quickly to the league’s high demands to succeed.

Overall, Merson’s outlook on the match is clear: he believes Chelsea is well-positioned to take advantage of United’s unsettled situation, provided Maresca makes smart decisions, including benching Sancho in favor of Neto. He predicts Chelsea’s strong, aggressive style will overwhelm United’s unsettled squad, especially under Van Nistelrooy’s temporary leadership.