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Manchester United fans will disagree with outspoken Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson on his prophecy for the upcoming Premier League clash with Manchester City and they'd be right to.

What's he predicted, then?

An out-of-sorts Red Devils play host to the in-form Citizens at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening knowing that a win for their bitter rivals and visitors will put the title in their hands.

But there will be double motivation for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men aside from bragging rights as three points against Pep Guardiola's side would boost their hopes of making a late dash back into the top four.

Predicting a 4-0 trouncing in City's favour, here's what Merson had to say ahead of the match:

"I think the league will be won here as I expect Manchester City to win easily.

"Manchester United are just not very good. It was embarrassing against Everton and the players should be ashamed of themselves.

"They need to work hard this week, which will not be enough, but it is the least they can do. To lose the way they did against Everton was mindblowing. They should be honoured to play for that club and they embarrassed it."

That's pure sensationalist, Merse

Predicting such a one-sided affair for this Manchester derby is pure sensationalist from Merson as it's clear he's just trying to wind up the United faithful.

Yes, there is a gulf-in-class between the two teams in terms of quality and form at the moment, but the Red Devils are going to put up more of a fight in front of their own fans at "The Theatre of Dreams" than that.

Home advantage is going to be key in this match-up and what happened on Sunday will only work in the favour of United, meaning their players will have a new determination to make it up to supporters and prevail in the big derby.

Just look at what happened when pundits would have predicted something similar from this fixture little over a year ago.