Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has dropped a telling Premier League prediction for the "big football match" between Manchester United and Liverpool on Sunday.

Manchester United have had a mixed start to the season under Erik ten Hag, who inked a new contract extension with the Red Devils this summer.

Erik ten Hag's men lost in the Community Shield to Manchester City before bouncing back with a 1-0 win over Fulham at Old Trafford in their Premier League opener.

However, United's momentum after the Fulham win was dealt a major blow after the Red Devils suffered a 2-1 Premier League defeat to Brighton at the Amex last week.

The loss to Brighton has left United 11th in the Premier League table after the first two matches, with the Red Devils now facing a massive task on Sunday.

Ten Hag's side clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford in their final fixture ahead of the September international break, with kick-off for the match slated for 4pm UK time.

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Arne Slot arrived at Anfield in the summer after Jurgen Klopp stepped down as Liverpool head coach at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

Liverpool defeated Ipswich Town 2-0 away from home in their opening Premier League match before picking up a 2-0 win against Brentford at Anfield last week.

Paul Merson has admitted that Slot has shown a "more solid" and "more cautious" for his Liverpool side than what Klopp brought to the table at the Reds.

"Liverpool are a different team now, they're not going to play the Klopp way," he told Sky Sports.

"The manager has come in with his own ideas and he's more solid, more cautious. They've got great players up front where the manager goes, 'You lot get on with it, win us the game and we'll make sure we're solid at the back.'

"United don't want a gung-ho game so I think this plays into United's hands that Liverpool will come and play a bit safer.

"Because if this gets into an end-to-end football match, Liverpool have more of a threat and better players all around the pitch.

"So, for me, that's how it plays into United's hands, the way Liverpool will play away [from home].

"I think it will be an entertaining game, there's too much talent going forward on this pitch for there not to be goals."

Merson's Man Utd vs Liverpool prediction Merson admitted that he could see United causing "problems" for Liverpool and the Sky Sports pundit has backed an "entertaining 2-2 draw" as the result.

"This is a big, big football match," he said.

"Liverpool have to go to United and get a result and if you're a United fan it's a cup final. I thought they [United] did alright against Fulham, they played some good football.

"Against Brighton they were unlucky, the disallowed goal hits his [Joshua Zirkzee's] knee but they shouldn't lose that football match. At worst you come away from there with a draw.

"I don't see United losing this game, I think United cause Liverpool problems. I think it'll be an entertaining 2-2 draw."