Ex-Arsenal man tears into Manuel Pellegrini

Manuel Pellegrini's tactics have come under fire from former Arsenal man Paul Merson.

Referring to the way in which the Chilean has set up his Manchester City side for European performances in recent years, Merson suggests that some City supporters could have fared better. 'What he’s done in the Champions League over the last three seasons, a season-ticket holder could have managed,' Merson writes in the Daily Star. 'He sets them up to play 4-4-2 and try to outscore their opponents. It’s old hat. ‘You have a shot, we have a shot’ doesn’t work in Europe.' Merson also appears to take aim at the City manager's reluctance to drop big-name players, regardless of how they are playing. Specifically referring to Raheem Sterling (the man who scored a hat-trick for City just last weekend) as a player who 'doesn't seem right' at the club, Merson says that some players are guaranteed to feature for City. 'I don’t think he wants to upset his players either. They don’t fear him or being dropped.'