Paul Merson predicts Manchester United vs Leicester; fears for Amorim

Football pundit Paul Merson has cast his prediction for Ruud van Nistelrooy’s final game in charge of Manchester United against Leicester City.

Van Nistelrooy’s four-game spell as interim boss comes to an end this weekend and he will be looking to remain unbeaten against the Foxes.

The Dutchman stood in after Erik ten Hag was sent his marching orders last week. He has since made it clear that he is more than happy to continue his role as assistant coach under Ruben Amorim, although the Portuguese coach has yet to decide on that front. We can only suspect a decision will made next week after Amorim begins work at Carrington.

Speaking in his Sportskeeda column, Merson backed Van Nistelrooy to end his interim spell on a high by beating Leicester 3-1 on Sunday.

“Leicester did well to rescue a point against Ipswich last weekend,” he said.

“A defeat in that game would’ve been catastrophic for them. Jamie Vardy should remain fit throughout the season, if they are to avoid relegation.

“I think there’s only one winner in this game though, and it’s not Leicester.”

Paul Merson has fears for Ruben Amorim

Merson also made his feelings clear that Amorim faces a tough task at Old Trafford. That, of course, being news to nobody.

United trigged Amorim’s release clause to bring the 39-year-old to Old Trafford as Ten Hag’s successor. Fans are eager for him to start after watching his Sporting CP side beat Man City 4-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Merson is unsure whether Amorim will be able to implement his preferred style of play immediately, with his preference at Sporting being a three-at-the-back system.

“I watch Manchester United and I really think Ruben Amorim has his work cut out at Old Trafford,” Merson said.

“You could say he probably has an advantage because we aren’t expecting much. But I watch all the other big teams and all of them have a plan in place, Manchester United don’t.

“When you look at the system that Amorim deploys at Sporting and you look at United, you don’t really know how many players at Old Trafford can pull that off.

“It doesn’t tick any box. Who will be the three at the back considering all their centre-backs available for selection aren’t the quickest? What about the wing-backs?

“They don’t have a proper goalscoring No 9 like Viktor Gyokeres or two creative No 10s.”