“They will be nervous” – Paul Merson explains why Inter will be tougher opponent than Manchester United for Manchester City in UCL final

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has explained why Inter Milan could be tougher opponents than Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League final (June 10).

City are on the brink of becoming continental treble winners after beating the Red Devils 2-1 in the FA Cup final on Saturday (June 3). That came after the Cityzens had defended their Premier League crown.

Pep Guardiola's men were the dominant side at the Wembley, with Manchester United failing to put up a significant fight. A delightful double from Ilkay Gundogan won them the game, despite Bruno Fernandes equalising from the spot

Merson has tipped Inter to be trickier opposition when the two European sides meet in the Champions League final at Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul on June 10, telling Sky Sports:

"I always thought this was a harder game than the Man Utd game. Inter have got forwards in Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku who can hurt you. I didn't see that with United's front three - bar Marcus Rashford. That was the problem."

The Red Devils lacked any real threat up top against Guardiola's side. Jadon Sancho was ineffective, while Fernandes couldn't find his typical form on the right side of attack.

Marcus Rashford couldn't add to 30 goals for the season but was kept quiet by City's assured defence. Anthony Martial missed out through injury, while Wout Weghorst lacked a killer edge after being introduced late on.

Meanwhile, Inter have boasted three goal-getters throughout the campaign in Lautaro Martinez, Romelu Lukaku and Edin Dzeko. The trio have scored 56 goals between them this season.

Merson thinks Manchester City will be nervous when they come up against the Nerrazzuri:

"This is a tough game, and they will be nervous. If both teams play to the best of their ability, Man City win. But they're humans, and even though they're great, we've seen off days with City. Not many but a few."

The last time Guardiola's men were in the Champions League final was in 2021. They headed into that clash with Chelsea as the favourites but were surprisingly beaten 1-0 at the Estadio do Dragao.

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Manchester United legend David Beckham gives intriguing take on Manchester City's potential treble

Beckham explains why Manchester United's treble win is more significant.

David Beckham was at the Wembley and watched as his former side blew their chances of ending City's treble hopes. City are now just one win away from replicating the feat Manchester United accomplished in 1998-99.

Beckham was part of the side that won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. He has said that City's potential treble win won't be as historic (via Manchester Evening News):

"There’s only one club that can ever win the first time - and we were that club. We were all homegrown players that had lived and breathed United all the way through and then to win the treble, the way we won it, and also for the first time, can never be done again."

Manchester United's dominant era from the 90s into the late 2010s has ended, and it's the Blue side of Manchester that are running riot now. A win over Inter in the Champions League final will place them alongside their neighbours in English football history.