Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has sent a clear-cut message to Ruben Amorim ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League tie against Bournemouth on Sunday.
The Red Devils will play their final Premier League match in April at the Vitality Stadium, with kick-off for the Bournemouth match slated for 2pm UK time.
Manchester United will then be heading to Spain and the Red Devils will resume their Europa League campaign with the first of their two-leg semi-final clashes.
Athletic Club knocked Scottish side Rangers out of the Europa League quarter-finals to reach the semi-finals and the La Liga club will host United on 1st May.
Ruben Amorim’s men, on the other hand, punched their ticket to the semi-finals after United defeated Lyon in a thrilling 5-4 comeback win at Old Trafford.
The Europa League is United’s last real chance of ensuring a return to European football for the 2025-26 season and securing Champions League football.
United currently languish in 14th place in the Premier League table and the Red Devils have only five league matches remaining in the 2024-25 campaign.
Amorim’s side suffered their 15th Premier League defeat of the season last Sunday after United lost 1-0 to Wolves in a shock Premier League result at Old Trafford.
Paul Merson makes a clear-cut stance on what Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim must do for the Premier League clash vs Bournemouth
Manchester United have managed 10 Premier League wins from 33 league matches and the Red Devils have picked up one victory in their last five league fixtures.
Ruben Amorim’s men face an uphill battle trying to finish in the top half of the table and United are tipped for their worst finish in the Premier League era.
Speaking in his Sportskeeda column, Paul Merson has said that United manager Amorim must write off their Premier League clash against Bournemouth.
“I know it sounds weird, but this match means absolutely nothing to Manchester United,” he said.
“If Ruben Amorim uses his best players in this game, I would be shocked. If you are Manchester United, I think you should just forget about this trip to Bournemouth, write it off!
“Amorim is 100 per cent right when he says the Europa League is the priority for Manchester United. They are just three games away from returning to the Champions League.
“So, it shouldn’t be a problem if they field a second-string team against Bournemouth and get beaten in the process, which I think will happen.
“I mean, even with their first team, this is still a very tough game for Manchester United.”
Paul Merson makes his claim about Bruno Fernandes amid his Bournemouth vs Man Utd prediction for the Premier League match
Merson suggested that Amorim’s decision-making for the trip to the Vitality Stadium should include United captain Bruno Fernandes not starting against Bournemouth.
“Bruno Fernandes should not start this game,” he continued.
“He has played enough football this season and must be completely rested for the Europa League semi-final. They cannot risk him here and then complain later if he picks up a knock.
“If Manchester United miss out on Champions League football again, it will be extremely hard for them to rebuild their squad.
“But if I had to pick an English team to win the Europa League now, it would still be Tottenham.
“Athletic Club will be a massive challenge for Manchester United. The fact that the final will be held in Bilbao is added motivation for the La Liga club.”
Merson has backed Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth side to secure all three Premier League points against United with a 2-0 win at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/X2sVK5R