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'He Only Lost The League Because Of A Slip' Merson Backs Rodgers To Man United

'He Only Lost The League Because Of A Slip' Merson Backs Rodgers To Man United
Jonathan Byrne
By Jonathan Byrne
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Former Arsenal man Paul Merson has spoken out about the future managerial picture at Man United.

In his Sky Sports column, he's given his two cents on why fans at Old Trafford should want Brendan Rodgers in the summer and not Mauricio Pochettino.

Both managers were linked with the job before interim boss Ralf Rangnick took over in November. Merson reckons Pochettino shouldn't get a look in.

"I don't understand why Manchester United would be waiting for Mauricio Pochettino. I don't get it," he said. "If Pochettino doesn't win the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain, why would they be going in for him?"

"You've got to remember he failed to win the French league last year, too. That's virtually impossible to do. Everybody keeps saying they need to go out and get Pochettino but I don't understand why."

PSG are flying high in Ligue 1 this year thirteen points ahead of second-placed Marseille. However, there'll be a lot of pressure on them to succeed in Europe given their financial backing.

Pochettino appeared to distance himself from the Man United job despite the speculation, but there might be a bit of unfinished business in the Premier League after his time at Tottenham.

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"It does my head in," Merson continued. "It's all I ever hear. What did he do? He got Tottenham to the final of the Champions League and his side finished third one year in the Premier League.

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"PSG have appointed him to win the Champions League, but I don't give PSG a chance of doing it this year so I'm not sure what the obsession is with Pochettino."

Rodgers At Man United

It's fair to say Leicester have struggled for portions of this season, with injuries hampering the side and Covid cases rampant throughout the squad over the winter.

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They're eleventh in the Premier League table and without a league win since December. However, Merson thinks Brendan Rodgers shouldn't be judged on this season alone.

"Football is all about timing. If Leicester were second in the Premier League right now and still in the cups, Brendan Rodgers would be the bookmakers' favourite to be the next manager of Man Utd," he said.

"If I was in charge at United, I'd be going for Rodgers or Graham Potter now. People are still caught up on the Pochettino of seven years ago. If that's the case, why isn't everyone going for Claudio Ranieri again?"

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"(Rodgers) only lost the league at Liverpool because of a slip. Now, he doesn't even get a mention. I find it shocking that some people are even talking about Brendan Rodgers being under pressure."

Merson remarked on Leicester's defensive troubles this year and how they've been without their starting back four for most of the season due to injury - in Justin, Pereira, Fofana, and Evans.

Last year, Leicester suffered another heartbreaking finish to the Premier League season by narrowly missing out on a Champions League slot, but they did win the FA Cup.

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"Leicester would be losing Rodgers at their own peril. He's one of the best about as he improves players," Merson added.

"People are still calling for Pochettino at Man Utd and for Rodgers to be sacked at Leicester. The world has gone mad."

See Also: Festy Ebosele's Rise At Derby County May Seem Sudden, But It's Been A Long Time Coming

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