Paul Merson has identified a major advantage which Manchester United hold over rivals Manchester City and Arsenal.
The Red Devils were enjoying a fine run of form which saw them close the gap on fourth-place Chelsea to just three points before the coronavirus outbreak suspended the Premier League season in March.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side looked poised to make a late surge for the Champions League places thanks to the January signing of Portugal star Bruno Fernandes and the defensive performances of newly-appointed club captain Harry Maguire.
And Sky Sports pundit Merson insists United are the team he is looking forward to watching most when football returns and claimed their “young, improving” squad is something Arsenal and City do not have.
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“When football eventually restarts, the team I’m looking forward to watching more than anyone else is Manchester United,” Merson wrote in his StarSport column.
“Because they were absolutely flying when we went into lockdown, winning eight of their last 11 games, scoring lots of goals and being undefeated since January.
“In fact, I’d say no-one was playing better than United before the enforced break in March.
“Can they carry on where they left off? That’s the 64 million dollar question but there are definite signs that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is starting to assemble a formidable squad at Old Trafford.
“And it’s a young, improving one, which is something that can’t really be said about the likes of Arsenal or even Manchester City.”
The former Gunners forward also believes United will close the gap on league-leaders Liverpool next season despite currently trailing the Reds by 37 points.
“I’m not saying United will necessarily be title contenders next season but they are certainly heading in the right direction and they’ll be a lot closer to the top of the table than they have been in recent seasons,” Merson added.
“If there is a question mark about them under Solskjaer, it is that they have a streaky side to them.
“Just as United have been capable of stringing together a few wins under Solskjaer, there’s also been a tendency to have bad runs too.
“You don’t find the likes of Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp enduring slumps. The real top managers rarely go more than two or three games without a win.
“So yes, the jury is still out on Solskjaer but if I was United fan, I’d be more excited than most about what the future holds.”
