{"id":319756,"date":"2026-04-16T21:46:25","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T16:16:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/?p=319756"},"modified":"2026-04-16T21:46:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T16:16:25","slug":"paul-merson-urges-michael-carrick-to-drop-man-utd-star-for-chelsea-clash-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/16\/paul-merson-urges-michael-carrick-to-drop-man-utd-star-for-chelsea-clash-football\/","title":{"rendered":"Paul Merson urges Michael Carrick to drop Man Utd star for Chelsea clash | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n\t\t\t<\/div>
Paul Merson revealed his prediction for Chelsea vs Man Utd (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Paul Merson has revealed his prediction for the crucial Premier League clash between Chelsea and Manchester United and urged Michael Carrick to bench striker Benjamin Sesko.<\/p>\n

Chelsea welcome Man United to Stamford Bridge on Saturday night hoping to spice up their Champions League hopes following a difficult run.<\/p>\n

Liam Rosenior\u2019s side have won just one among their last six games in all competitions, slipping to sixth within the Premier League and crashing out of the Champions League.<\/p>\n

Manchester United, in contrast, have climbed to 3rd within the table since Michael Carrick was appointed caretaker manager in replace of Ruben Amorim.<\/p>\n

The Red Devils have dropped points in each of their last two games, nevertheless, drawing 2-2 at Bournemouth before the international break before suffering a shock defeat at home to Leeds United on Monday night.<\/p>\n

Merson believes United\u2019s winless run to proceed at Stamford Bridge, backing Chelsea to clinch an important 2-1 win to spice up their hopes of Champions League qualification.<\/p>\n

The Arsenal legend expects Enzo Fernandez to come back back into the Chelsea team following his recent absence but says Sesko ought to be dropped and allowed to \u2018make an impact from the bench\u2019 as he has does effectively within the second-half of the season.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Chelsea\t<\/div>
Chelsea are struggling under Liam Rosenior (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018Chelsea were atrocious of the very best level within the second half against Manchester City,\u2019 Merson told Sportskeeda<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2018Luckily for them, they now face\u00a0Manchester United, who were also terrible within the loss to Leeds!<\/p>\n

\u2018It is a must-not-lose game for United and a must-win game for Chelsea. After this,\u00a0Chelsea\u00a0face Brighton away, Nottingham Forest at home, Liverpool away, Spurs at home and Sunderland away.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Manchester\t<\/div>
Manchester United summer signing Benjamin Sesko (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018In the event that they lose this game, I don\u2019t see them playing Champions League football next season.<\/p>\n

\u2018So long as Manchester United avoid defeat, they’re for Champions League qualification because Chelsea will play Liverpool.<\/p>\n

\u2018I could be shocked if Enzo Fernandez is just not back within the line-up for this game.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Manchester\t<\/div>
Man Utd were stunned by Leeds last day out (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018I still can\u2019t get my head across the incontrovertible fact that Chelsea banned him for 2 matches! They were crying out for somebody like him to get on the ball and pass to interrupt lines in the course of the defeat to City.<\/p>\n

\u2018Manchester United were poor against Leeds and have a couple of injuries to take care of.<\/p>\n

\u2018I don\u2019t know why Bryan Mbeumo didn’t start that game though. And Casemiro is nowhere near the identical player without Kobbie Mainoo next to him!<\/p>\n

\u2018I might probably leave Benjamin Sesko out of the line-up against Chelsea. He\u2019s someone who they’ll bring on to make an impact off the bench.<\/p>\n

\u2018The opposite day against Leeds, they’d nobody who could do this in its place because Sesko was within the starting XI.<\/p>\n

\u2018Chelsea might be ninth within the league by the tip of the week, in the event that they don\u2019t win this game. But I actually think they’ll trouble United. I\u2019m backing Chelsea to get a 2-1 win.\u2019<\/p>\n

Manchester United beat ten-man Chelsea 2-1 the last time these two sides met back in September, profiting from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez\u2019s early red card.<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Follow Metro Sport for the most recent news on
\nFacebook<\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong>Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/use><\/svg>MORE: Bukayo Saka injury latest with Arsenal return plans explained for Man City clash<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/use><\/svg>MORE: Frank Lampard responds to rumours he wants Chelsea forward at Coventry<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/use><\/svg>MORE: Paul Merson makes Man City vs Arsenal prediction and Premier League title claim<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tComment now<\/title>\n<\/use><\/svg><\/span>
\n\t\t\tComments<\/span>
\n\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/title>\n<\/use><\/svg><\/span>
\n\t\t\t\tAdd as preferred source<\/span>
\n\t\t\t<\/section>\n<\/p><\/div>\n