Paul Merson is predicting that Man Utd will beat us 2-0 at the weekend – a prediction that sounds fair – however his assessment of both clubs is anything but.
He gets a few things spot on, talking about how easy it has been for teams to win at St James’ Park and highlighting our total lack of attacking threat, but his bias is there for all to see – with him choosing to slate us and practically ignoring how bad big spending Man Utd have been recently.
Man Utd have a net spend of £302m under Mourinho compared to our minus £21m net spend over the summer. They have a midfielder worth more than our entire starting 11 and a squad expected to compete for the title – yet Merson can only find fault with Newcastle, despite Man Utd sitting in 10th and failing to win any of their last four home games.
Here’s what he’s had to say during his prediction for Sky:
“I watched Newcastle the other day against Leicester and I couldn’t believe what I was watching. I’ve played at St James’ park plenty of times and it was a hard place to play football. The players were up for it, the crowd were up for it and it was a hard game. They had just one shot on target from 65 yards from Jonjo Shelvey. If Manchester United could hand pick any team to play this weekend it would be Newcastle. Forget Cardiff or Huddersfield it would be Newcastle because they can’t score a goal. they don’t even look like scoring a goal.
“On the flip side, if United don’t win this game there’ll be major trouble at Old Trafford. Newcastle will go there for a 0-0 but United will eventually break them down.”
Merson’s prediction: Man Utd 2-0 Newcastle
Man Utd’s home results since the opening day of the season:
- 0-3 defeat to Spurs
- 1-1 draw with Wolves
- Cup defeat to Derby
- 0-0 draw with Valencia
Don’t get me wrong, just about everything he says is bang on (although Cardiff have had easier fixtures and not outscored us and Huddersfield have actually scored less goals than us this season), however it’s just pathetic how biased this is in the circumstances.
Mourinho is quite rightfully on the brink based on the job he’s being doing at Old Trafford recently, but no, Merson prefers to slate a team and a manager who’s doing his job with his hands tied.
Unfortunately he is right. It’s not nice to hear people talk negatively about our club, but the truth hurts.
I would take a 0-0.
Josh(Quote)
Yes all true ,, the man is right , but as a profetional pundit , he over stepped the line ,, but entitled to his opinion
Gary(Quote)