Paul Merson has backed Graham Potter to bring a "brilliant" brand of football to Manchester United - but believes the managerial appointment will never happen.
Brighton boss Potter, 46, has earned a great many admirers throughout his two-and-a-half year stint at the Amex due to the possession-based, attacking style he employs.
The Seagulls have finished 15th and 16th in the Premier League over the last two seasons, but their underlying statistics suggested they were unfortunate not to finish higher up the table.
Potter was among the leading contenders to succeed Jose Mourinho at Tottenham last year before reaffirming his dedication to the project on the south coast.
The former Swansea manager remains touted to take over at one of England's biggest clubs in the future - and Merson views him as the ideal candidate for United.
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"I'm a big fan of his, I think he plays brilliant football. If I was Man United, I'd be watching Potter, I'd be watching Potter," Merson told Sky Sports .
"I think the way the way they [Brighton] play their football - and they haven't got the quality of Man United players - and they play this great football.
"And if I was Man United, I'd be monitoring him. I'd think, 'why not go for him?'"
The Red Devils will need to appoint a new manager at the end of the season when Ralf Rangnick's spell as interim comes to an end.
The German is expected to have a say in who succeeds Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the club's next permanent boss.
But Merson predicts the Old Trafford hierarchy will pass over Potter because he is not a major force in football in the mould of former United managers such as Mourinho or Louis van Gaal.
"They won't [appoint Potter], they won't because he's not a [big] name. Simple as that," the former Arsenal and England playmaker said.
He added: "Then the Man United fans will go, 'what are we getting someone from Brighton for?' You know, and that's how it works."
Merson was speaking after Brighton were held to a 1-1 draw by Crystal Palace on Friday night despite dominating possession and registering 19 shots compared to the Eagles' three.
"For me, I think he's outstanding," Merson said of Potter. "It was like watching a re-run of last season's game. Exactly the same, exactly the same, exactly the same.
"Brighton absolutely slaughtered them [Palace] and then they needed a last-minute goal again.
"So, for me, good football, good manager and, as you say, [he] gets the best out of the players."
