Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has dropped his telling scoreline prediction for Manchester United’s upcoming Premier League clash with Brentford away from home.
The Red Devils face an uphill battle in their race for a top-four Premier League finish in their last 10 league matches in the 2023-24 season.
Manchester United went into the March international break in sixth place in the league table, with the Red Devils winning 15 matches, drawing two and losing 11.
Erik ten Hag’s men are six points adrift of fifth-place Tottenham, while United are nine points behind fourth-place Aston Villa in the hunt for a top-four finish.
However, both United and Tottenham have a match in hand over Aston Villa, who were held to a 1-1 draw against West Ham in their last Premier League outing.
United, on the other hand, bounced back from back-to-back Premier League defeats to pick up a 2-0 win over Everton at Old Trafford earlier this month.
The Red Devils also kept their FA Cup hopes alive ahead of the international break, with United securing a thrilling 4-3 win at Old Trafford in the quarter-finals.
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Merson on Man Utd top-four target and Liverpool match
Manchester United will travel to the Gtech Community Stadium for their Premier League clash against Brentford, with kick-off slated for 8pm UK time on Saturday.
Following the trip to Brentford, the Red Devils will face two major tests in their pursuit of the Premier League top four in April.
The Red Devils will travel away to Stamford Bridge for their Premier League clash with Chelsea before welcoming Liverpool to Old Trafford for another showdown.
Paul Merson insisted that United have been “inconsistent this season,” despite their “heroics” against Premier League rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup.
“When you’re chasing two teams down in the top-four race, it’s always difficult, and Manchester United currently find themselves in that unenviable position,” he wrote in his column for Sportskeeda.
“Despite their heroics against Liverpool in the FA Cup, the Red Devils have been inconsistent this season.
“Their victory against Liverpool is the kind of result that could galvanize a team. It felt like the old days were back at Manchester United.
“They are now up against Coventry in the semi-final and it looks like an easy route to the final.
“It still feels hard to put your money on Manchester United, however, because of how scattershot they seem every now and then.”
Merson’s scoreline prediction for Brentford vs Man Utd
Brentford, who are in 15th place and are five points clear of the Premier League relegation zone, have not won once in their last six league matches.
Thomas Frank’s men have not won in the Premier League since their 2-0 win over Wolves at the Molineux in February.
Despite their recent run of results, Merson has backed Brentford to avoid defeat to United at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The Sky Sports pundit added that United remain ‘vulnerable’ at the back and Brentford “could hurt them,” with Merson backing a 1-1 scoreline for the tie.
“With Bryan Mbeumo back, Brentford will be excellent to watch going forward,” Merson continued.
“When Mbeumo plays, Ivan Toney is a far better player, and Man United’s vulnerability at the back could hurt them this weekend.”