Paul Merson thinks Chelsea will beat Manchester United in the FA Cup on Monday with Jesse Lingard’s absence a key reason why the Red Devils will struggle.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side travel to Stamford Bridge in the fifth round on Monday after losing their first match under the Norwegian against PSG on Tuesday night.
And Merson thinks that a number of factors will be against United when they face Maurizio Sarri’s side, who lost 6-0 to Manchester City in the Premier League over the weekend.
“United were brought back down to earth by Paris Saint-Germain the other day,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“It’s a hard game. Its one of those where I think Chelsea will win this.
“I think that Champions League loss will knock Man Utd sideways.
“They will miss Jesse Lingard, he’s a bit of an unsung hero for them.
“When he went off against PSG that was it then. The players that are coming in like Alexis Sanchez have flopped.
“It’s a massive game for both of them. Man Utd are now are under pressure after their first-leg loss to PSG in the Champions League.
“Their season could go up in flames in a week because if they get beat here they are out of the FA Cup and are facing an uphill task to stay in the Champions League.
“This period for me is when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is going to get the job or not.”