Manchester United’s dramatic 3-2 comeback against Roma may have ended a ten-game winless run, but Paul Merson believes the result papered over cracks that Aston Villa could expose on Sunday. The Sky Sports pundit argued that Michael Carrick must keep Bruno Fernandes must stay in the starting lineup, describing the Portuguese as United’s best player and essential during difficult periods.
Fernandes was left out against Roma but returned to convert a retaken penalty that helped spark the revival from two goals down. Merson praised the midfielder’s courage to step up again after missing the first attempt, saying the pressure was immense and the response deserved credit. He insisted that even when Fernandes is not at his best, he still belongs in the team because no one at the club is better.
Fernandes Is United’s Best, Says Merson
“I think Bruno Fernandes has to play for Manchester United,” Merson said. “He’s their best player, and when you’re going through a difficult period, you need your best players on the pitch.”
Merson referenced Brian Clough’s philosophy of returning to the strongest available XI when results turn sour, suggesting Carrick should adopt the same approach. He argued that leaving Fernandes out is self-defeating and that United’s chances of winning improve whenever he features, provided he performs well.
However, Merson also warned that United cannot rely on fleeting spells of quality. He pointed to the first half against Chelsea and patches of the Roma second half as evidence of a team that struggles to sustain performance across 90 minutes. According to him, winning consistently requires 70 to 75 minutes of good football, not isolated bursts.
Cunha Challenged to Find Consistency
Merson turned his attention to Matheus Cunha, acknowledging the forward’s passion but questioning his week-to-week reliability. He described Cunha as a “nine or a four” – capable of delivering a match-winning display one week and a poor one the next. At Wolves, that inconsistency was tolerable because the team was fighting near the bottom of the table, but Merson stressed that Manchester United demands a baseline of seven or seven-and-a-half every week.
“You can be an eight, you can have a nine, but you can’t be a nine one week and a four the next,” Merson said. He added that Cunha may not be accustomed to such expectations, but they come with the territory at a club of United’s stature. Merson also cited Carlos Baleba’s hamstring injury as an example of the harsh scrutiny players face after moving from Brighton, where defeats go largely unnoticed, to a club where every loss is dissected.
Roma Win Showed Bottle but Also Luck
While Merson credited United for the character shown in overturning a two-goal deficit, he was quick to note the role of fortune. He pointed to the retaken penalty, a defensive mistake from Roma that led to another goal, and a near-post effort that he doubted many Premier League goalkeepers would concede. In his view, the comeback was brilliant but not a sign that everything has suddenly changed.
Merson expressed sympathy for Carrick, suggesting the problems lie with the players rather than the manager. He acknowledged the difficulty of lifting a squad at 2-0 down given the club’s poor run but felt the overall performance still left much to be desired.
Villa to Provide Reality Check
Looking ahead to Sunday’s Premier League clash at Old Trafford, Merson was pessimistic about United’s chances. He does not see the Roma result as a turning point and expects Aston Villa, who he says are playing a much better standard of football at the moment, to pose a stern test. Although Villa were not at their best against Barcelona, Merson believes they will provide a reality check for Carrick’s side.
“I don’t see them getting anything from Aston Villa on Sunday,” he said. The match kicks off at 4.30pm and will be shown live on Sky Sports.
