Paul Merson thinks Manchester United’s continuing deplorable run of form in the Premier League could lead to a “major meltdown” at Old Trafford.
United face Premier League table-toppers Manchester City on Sunday with huge contrasts in the form of both teams. While City have 21 games sitting cool and composed at the top, United have only two wins to show in their last eight outings. Despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side still second in the table, they now face a stiff fight to secure a top-four finish this season.
Merson now believes United’s problems run quite deep and can foresee a major impending collapse.
“Manchester United are on the verge of a meltdown – because that’s what it would be if they don’t finish in the top four,” Merson wrote in the Daily Star.
“They were top of the league not so long ago and if you’re in with a chance of winning the title and then you don’t finish in the top four, that’s a major collapse.
“United have stopped scoring goals and teams below them have winnable games. They have opened the door. And they could be caught.”
The observation is that United too often have relied on star man Bruno Fernandes to get them out of a fix and Merson claims there are four stars who ought to do more to share the goals burden.
Merson added: “Look at the players they have. Edinson Cavani, Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Daniel James.
“There’s a lot of ammunition there. Players who can hurt you. But too often it’s all about Bruno Fernandes. They’re always waiting for him to do something special. But teams are targeting him now and he’s getting tired. It’s taking a toll on him.
“He’s been carrying a massive football club on his shoulders for too long this season. Someone else has to step up.”