Paul Merson is expecting Manchester United to suffer a humbling defeat to archrivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final this weekend.

While the Sky Sports pundit believes that Erik ten Hag’s side do have a chance if they can keep things tight at the back, he feels that the extra quality that the Premier League champions possess will prove too much for their opponents:

“Manchester United fans will need to go to the game this weekend hoping for something special. If both teams play well on the day, there’s going to be only one winner. Manchester City have been the better team this season and should be able to win this game.”

Merson has gone with a 3-0 win to City, which seems to be a rather harsh prediction, considering United won the last time the two sides met at Old Trafford back in January.

Of course, they were played off the park in the first game at the Etihad earlier this season, but you do feel that the Red Devils have improved as the campaign has gone on.

Admittedly, there have been a few poor away defeats recently, such as the 3-0 reverse against Sevilla in the Europa League, as well as the consecutive 1-0 losses to Brighton and West Ham.

United’s performances at Wembley have, though, been better; comfortably winning the Carabao Cup final versus Newcastle, and securing passage to the FA Cup final against Brighton on penalties.

The bookmaker’s odds for the FA Cup final – Manchester United V City

It must be said that the bookies are backing Merson’s view of it being a one-sided contest on Saturday afternoon.

Pep Guardiola’s side are heavy favourites to lift the FA Cup with Coral offering the best odds at 8/15.

A draw after 90 minutes is currently 15/4 with Bet 365 while, if you are banking on ten Hag’s men coming out on top at Wembley, Betfred are offering 5/1.

Supporters will be hoping that both Merson and the bookmakers are wrong when the two city rivals face each other in the last domestic game of the campaign. It is likely to be an exciting 90 minutes.