Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has admitted that he could easily see two different outcomes play out from Manchester United’s upcoming clash with Manchester City.
Manchester City will host Manchester United at the Etihad for the first Manchester derby of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, following the September break.
United are above City in the Premier League table going into Sunday’s showdown, with Ruben Amorim’s men currently ninth while Pep Guardiola’s side are 13th.
The Red Devils picked up their first win of the 2025-26 campaign ahead of September’s World Cup qualifiers, with United beating Burnley 3-2 at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim watched from the Old Trafford dugout as the Red Devils snatched all three points after Bruno Fernandes scored United’s winning penalty against Burnley.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty ImagesPaul Merson’s reaction to Man Utd vs Burnley and Brighton vs Man City in the Premier League
Manchester City are winless in the Premier League since the opening weekend of the 2025-26 season, with Pep Guardiola’s men beating Wolves 4-0 at the Molineux.
Guardiola’s side were stunned in a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham at the Etihad before Brighton mounted a second-half 2-1 comeback win against City at the Amex.
Paul Merson admitted that Manchester United impressed him with their performance against Burnley, while he was deeply critical of City’s display against Brighton.
“I thought Manchester United were really good the other day against Burnley,” he said in his Sportskeeda column.
“It was a bit like the Manchester United of the old times. But they still needed a penalty at the end to win that game and that is a concern if you ask me.
“Manchester City looked comfortable until the substitutions changed the game for Brighton.
“I’m looking for reasons to back City here and I can’t find any if I’m being honest!
“They don’t have a player like David Silva or Kevin De Bruyne anymore, so who is going to step up?”
Paul Merson shares his Premier League scoreline prediction for Man City vs Man Utd, including another result on his mind
Merson believes that United’s attacking line-up could impact City at the Etihad and the Sky Sports pundit has backed a 1-1 scoreline for the Manchester derby.
“City were terrible against Tottenham at the Etihad,” he added.
“I actually think Manchester United’s front-three can hurt them in this game.
“I say that despite having the opinion that United will not finish in the top six this season, so you can imagine what I think of City at the moment!”
Merson also hinted that he could see another outcome outside of the draw, with the Arsenal legend admitting that he would back United to come out on top over City.
“I’m going to go for a draw, but if someone told me I had to pick a winner, I would only choose Manchester United,” he continued.
“I just don’t think Ruben Amorim’s men will lose this game.”
United and City’s Premier League clash at the Etihad is slated for a 4:30pm kick-off time on Sunday in the UK.