Premier League legend bluntly predicts the outcome of the MU vs Man City showdown

Before the Manchester derby in round 22 of the 2025/26 Premier League, Arsenal legend Paul Merson openly stated that Man City have the edge and MU will find it hard to avoid losing.

The clash between Manchester United and Manchester City in the 22nd round of the 2025/26 Premier League is drawing huge attention, not only because it is a derby but also due to the sensitive circumstances surrounding both teams. MU currently sits 7th in the table, 3 points behind the Top 4, while Man City are 2nd and still hopeful of chasing down Arsenal for the title. Thus, the match at Old Trafford holds crucial significance for both sides.

Regarding this encounter, Paul Merson offered a rather pessimistic prediction for the home team. He believes this Manchester derby is different from recent years, with the balance of power clearly favoring Man City.

“Usually in derbies, form doesn’t matter as much, but this time it’s different. Honestly, I don’t see any other outcome than Man City winning”, Merson commented. “I would be very surprised if Manchester United could take all three points”.

According to the Arsenal legend’s analysis, MU had more balanced derbies in the past two or three seasons, when they still created clear chances against Man City. However, the current situation has changed.

“Man City do leave some gaps in defense, giving MU chances to score. But City’s attack is far superior and will cause serious problems for the hosts”, Merson emphasized. He pointed out that the biggest difference lies in the attacking quality and the visitors’ ability to finish the game.

Another notable point is that this will be the first match Michael Carrick leads MU as interim manager. Merson believes Carrick’s appointment gives MU more time to stabilize and avoids rushed decisions on the sidelines.

“Maybe the long-term answer is Carrick himself”, he suggested, also advising MU not to rush into hiring a big-name coach while the season is still volatile.

On Man City’s side, Merson highly praised the expected attacking trio. “Antoine Semenyo was brought in for big games like this. I would pick Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki, and Semenyo up front”, he said. According to Merson, whenever Cherki is absent, Man City tends to lack the necessary creativity. “This trio has speed, power, goal-scoring ability, and skill—enough to decide the match at Old Trafford”.

Despite Man City also facing several key injuries, Merson believes their squad depth still helps them maintain an advantage. Meanwhile, MU goes into the derby under pressure to improve their league standing and deliver a positive performance to build confidence under the new leadership.

Based on these insights, Paul Merson made his final prediction: “Manchester United might score, but Man City will win 3-1”. A result seen as accurately reflecting the current gap between the red and blue halves of Manchester.