Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has predicted that Newcastle United will fall to defeat when Manchester United visit St. James’ Park on January 2nd.
The Magpies are coming in on the back of a 1-1 draw against Watford, while the Red Devils are flowing with confidence after three big wins under caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Merson has predicted that run will continue on Wednesday with a 3-1 win on Tyneside, foreseeing a defensive approach from Newcastle while admitted he ‘dreads’ what the score will be should they veer from that.
In his predictions for Sky Sports, he said: “We’re watching Manchester United again. I don’t think they were that fussed before. To turn it on like they do now, Paul Pogba’s scoring goals in the six-yard box – I’ve not seen him in there since the start of the season. Is the manager saying don’t do that? Jose Mourinho’s one of the best managers in the world, surely you don’t tell a player not to play.
“They’ve got freedom, Nemanja Matic has passed the ball forward more times in the last three games than I’ve seen him do even when he was at Chelsea. Everyone’s willing to make runs without the ball and it’s refreshing.
“Newcastle will put 10 behind the ball, it’s as simple as that, they’ll try to play for a 0-0 and a set play. If they open the game up, I dread to think what the score will be.”
It is not really surprising to see Merson predict an away win in this one, which is a result that most people will be backing. Manchester United have looked simply sublime under Solskjaer, who has really unshackled the squad and allowed them to express themselves on the pitch, which is something they were unable to do under Jose Mourinho. The Red Devils squad had actually begun to look pretty average under the Portuguese, and they have served up a timely reminder of their talents in the last few games. Newcastle on the other hand are playing pretty well at the moment, and as Merson predicts, will no doubt set out their stall against the dangerous visitors. The Magpies have managed to grind out many a result under Benitez using his defensive tactics, but against this Red Devils side anything could happen, with players like Paul Pogba suddenly reinvigorated following Mourinho’s exit.