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  "path": "/2026/04/13/arsenal-legend-paul-merson-makes-manchester-united-title-prediction-27945871/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-13T05:15:00.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "Football",
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    "Manchester United",
    "Michael Carrick",
    "Paul Merson",
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    "at the time of Ruben Amorim’s sacking in January",
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    "♬ original sound – Metro Sport – Metro Sport",
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  "textContent": "Ex-Arsenal and England winger Paul Merson (Picture: Getty)\n\nPaul Merson has rated Manchester United’s chances of winning the Premier League next season following their impressive revival under Michael Carrick.\n\nSitting sixth at the time of Ruben Amorim’s sacking in January, United have climbed to third in the Premier League since Carrick’s appointment as caretaker manager.\n\nManchester United have been one of most in-form teams in Europe since Carrick took over, losing just one of their last ten games.\n\nWith the top-five Premier League teams qualifying for next season’s Champions League, United look set to return to Europe’s top club competition.\n\nIt has also been suggested that Manchester United could once again challenge for the Premier League title, a trophy they have not won since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.\n\nBut Merson says United are still ‘not ready’ to ‘fight for the title’, insisting they need to bolster their squad this summer and prove they can be a more competitive force before being regarded as title contenders.\n\nThe ex-Arsenal and England winger does expect Manchester United to qualify for the Champions League but has predicted they will drop points against relegation-battlers Leeds United in their next outing on Monday night.\n\n##  Get personalised football updates every day\n\nSign up to our daily football newsletter and choose your team to get the latest news, rumours and more about your favourite team.\n\nMan Utd caretaker manager Michael Carrick (Picture: Getty)\n\nThe Red Devils have had almost a whole month off since their last game, a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth back on March 20.\n\n‘This is a big rivalry,’ Merson told Sportskeeda. ‘Leeds are playing well at the moment, but they can’t find a goal.\n\n‘I thought they did well against Manchester City, couldn’t score. Same with the Sunderland game as well.\n\nTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvideo\n\nUp Next\n\nPrevious Page\n\nNext Page\n\n‘If you look at the fixtures, Manchester United should have enough to qualify for the Champions League next season. But this is still a difficult game.\n\n‘If Chelsea beat Manchester City and United drew with Leeds, a win for the Blues in the match against them next weekend would mean they are just two points ahead of Rosenior’s team! That’s how tight it is.\n\n‘I don’t think Manchester United are ready to fight for the title next season. They need a few more players to come in. I don’t see them being competitive over 38 games with the same team.\n\n> @metrosportuk\n>\n> Is Bruno the best midfielder in the world? 🌍 Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes made another two assists against the USA in Portugal’s 2-0 victory in their international friendly, which takes his goal contribution tally to 30 in all competitions for club and country this season! #brunofernandes #manchesterunited #portugal #usmnt #assists\n>\n> ♬ original sound – Metro Sport – Metro Sport\n\n‘Manchester United’s focus should only be on getting back in the Champions League. If they can stay in that competition, it gives them good money to build their squad\n\n‘Now we’re used to seeing them play just once a week, but that isn’t where this club belongs and they need to get back up there quick.\n\n‘I have a feeling Leeds will get a point here, I’ll go with a 1-1 draw.’\n\nDespite Manchester United’s impressive revival under Carrick, Old Trafford bosses are yet to decide on their next permanent manager.\n\nUnited’s Amad Diallo recently backed Carrick for the role, saying: ‘From a personal view he’s the right man. He has a lot of experience; he knows the club and has the DNA.\n\n‘His relationship with every player is very good. Sometimes this kind of manager can bring the club where they belong.\n\n‘It’s not the players who decide but my honest opinion is we’re really happy to have Michael Carrick as a manager.’\n\n**For more stories like this, check our sport page**.\n\n**Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on**Facebook,** Twitter and Instagram**.\n\nComment now Comments \nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "Arsenal legend Paul Merson makes Manchester United title prediction"
}