Leeds United’s unbeaten Premier League start ended on Saturday when they lost to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
However, the Whites remain in the top half of the Premier League after six games and are now being seen as genuine contenders to finish in the top ten this season.
This week, they will prepare to welcome their most hated rivals, Manchester United, at Elland Road on Sunday and will look to take full advantage of their rivals’ woes.
Manchester United have made their worst start to a league campaign in more than 40 years, and there is genuine talk of sacking Michael Carrick this early in the season.
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Manchester United have just six points from their opening six Premier League games and have won only one league match so far.
They face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League before travelling to Elland Road, and Merson admitted they are probably the worst games to play for Carrick’s team.
He stressed that, at this stage, it would be disappointing for Leeds if they don’t get a result against Manchester United at Elland Road next weekend, and it would be a genuine shock.
Merson said on Sky Sports: “It’s a nightmare week for him. I couldn’t think of two worse games – and I don’t think they’re going to win either of them.
“Atletico Madrid, at their ground, is a difficult game. They’re hard to beat, a very difficult team to play against and beat. They don’t let in a lot of goals.
“Then you go to Leeds, who are one of Man Utd’s champion enemies. This is a big, big, big football match. A big rivalry. And it’s one of Leeds’ biggest games.
“And if you’re a Leeds fan, after the weekend, you’d be shocked if Man Utd beat them at Elland Road. Every Leeds fan would be disappointed if they didn’t get a result against Man Utd this weekend.
“Now that’s a big swing in football. How many times have we said that about Leeds vs Man Utd games? And it tells you everything you need to know about Man Utd.”
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Leeds must make the most of Manchester United’s struggles
The Whites could hardly ask for a better time to face Manchester United at Elland Road. Their bitter rivals have struggled for consistency this season, dropping points in games they should have won and looking short on confidence under Michael Carrick.
But Leeds must make that count. These fixtures are about more than bragging rights, and beating Manchester United in front of their own supporters should give Daniel Farke’s players all the motivation they need.
The Whites showed against Arsenal that they can compete with top opposition, even if the result did not go their way. Now they need to turn that promise into three points.
Manchester United’s problems aren’t Leeds’ responsibility to solve, but Farke cannot afford to let his players get complacent. If Leeds bring the intensity, discipline, and aggression Elland Road demands, they cannot afford to waste this chance.
I’m disappointed anytime “they” win any game but luckily they’re so poor it hardly ever happens.