Paul Merson savagely criticised Manchester United following the club’s defeat to Fulham.

After a faltering start to Erik ten Hag’s sophomore campaign at the club United appeared to have finally found their form with an unbeaten start to 2024 with four wins on the bounce. 

However, at Old Trafford the hosts would find themselves forced onto the back foot for large stretches, with Calvin Bassey giving Fulham the lead on 65 minutes.

Speaking following the game, the former Arsenal and England star insisted the result was more a reflection of United’s incompetencancy than Fulham’s success.

Manchester United’s undefeated start to 2024 ended on Saturday courtesy of a late goal from Alex Iwobi

But Paul Merson insisted Fulham’s win was entirely justified following United’s ‘shocking’ performance

‘Man United were shocking, I’m not exaggerating. Absolutely shocking.’ Merson said on Sky Sports.

‘You know, how they can think they can get in the top four. And what’s the point of getting the top four anyway? Just to get into the Champions League. They’re not going to win it. So what’s the point in being in it?’ 

Ahead of Saturday’s clash a billboard outside Old Trafford parodying the infamous Carlos Tevez “Welcome to Manchester” poster portrayed Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the club’s famous red.

Earlier this week the INEOS chief insisted that he wants United to usurp their rivals and reestablish their former dominance in the Premier League.

‘We have a lot to learn from our noisy neighbour and the other neighbour,’ he said, referring to Man City and Liverpool. ‘They are the enemy at the end of the day. There is nothing I would like better than to knock both of them from their perch.’

Referring to Ratcliffe’s comments Merson insisted that no amount of investment would allow United to bridge the gap on the pitch, particularly against their cross-city rivals.

Merson added that despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s lofty ambitions, United remain well behind their rivals

‘They’re a gilleon quid away.’ Merson continued. 

‘Honestly, I don’t know where they’re gonna catch up. Where he went, I want to take over Man City, whoa, pull it in to try and take over a couple of the others first. 

‘Do you know what I mean? You go in like, “I’m gonna take Man City over”. Just go right bang, wait there a minute, you know, over the next couple of years, we’ve got to try and catch them and then we’ll catch them. I mean, no chance.

‘This is going to be very slow. This ain’t gonna be overnight. This is going to be very very slow. If Man United went and won the league in the next five years whoever’s the manager should get knighted.’