On September 12, Paul Merson updated his column on Sky Sports, previewing this weekend's Manchester derby and commenting on Tottenham Hotspur's current situation.

I still don't see Manchester United finishing in the top five of the Premier League this season.

Manchester United face the Manchester derby this weekend, and the Red Devils' season is at a critical juncture. If they beat Manchester City, they can build momentum from this point. If they're beaten by Manchester City, they'll have to start from scratch. What's more, drawing with Everton means they've picked up just one point in two matches, while the teams around them are winning.

I've always said Manchester United's summer transfer window wasn't good enough, and the squad simply isn't strong enough—not nearly. Defensively, they're vulnerable. Manchester United conceded two goals against Everton, both crucial, including a strike from outside the box when all their players had retreated to defend.

When you're ahead, you should bring on another attacker, not withdraw an attacker and add a defender—don't give the opposition any hope. Instead, if you substitute a midfielder for an attacker, or an attacker for an attacker, the entire complexion of the game changes. If you're the manager of any other team, you'd think: "What do I do now?"

Against Everton, Manchester United buckled under the opposition's pressure. Never do that, especially when you're a big team. If you're Coventry playing Everton, of course you'd 100% put on a defender and sit deep. But when you're Manchester United, I don't think you need to do that. When you control the tempo of the game, their goalkeeper wouldn't have that long-range equaliser.

So I'm worried about Manchester United—that's why I didn't include them in the top five at the start of the season, and nothing has changed since. When you're caught by an opponent in the dying minutes, it definitely hurts the team.

The upcoming fixtures will test Manchester City's credentials.

I don't think Manchester City's recent performances have been particularly exceptional, but sometimes I pay attention to teams who don't play well yet keep winning, and they become a real headache for opponents.

Sometimes a win can mask flaws—but Manchester City have Haaland scoring goals, and they didn't concede against Coventry last time out, which is a positive sign for them. Manchester City face important matches against Manchester United and Liverpool next, and these games will test their true level under Guardiola.

If Manchester City win those two games and beat Sunderland in between, they should be close to the top of the league by season's end. But if they can't take two points from those two matches, then Arsenal could easily win the title. I'm backing Chelsea to finish third, but they're actually a long way behind Arsenal.

The home game against Everton is a cup final for Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham Hotspur need to beat Everton this weekend—it's like a cup final for them. I'd even say it will determine the direction of their entire season.

If Tottenham Hotspur lose to Everton, then you start to worry it'll be another difficult season, and Spurs will have to start over again. But if they beat Everton, that's back-to-back games unbeaten, four points, and things can start to build from there. But in their current state, I really can't see this Tottenham team racking up five or six consecutive wins.

When you win a game, you naturally expect to win the next one too. But if you don't start winning, confidence will evaporate.

Traduzido por IA.

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