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PAUL MERSON says everyone he knows wants Leeds United back in the Premier League and that Marcelo Bielsa's Whites would be "good value" for promotion without another game being played.

Merson had plenty of battles with Leeds at first Arsenal and then Aston Villa during United's Premier League days in the 1990s and the first few years of the new Millennium.

Now 52 years old, the Sky Sports and Gillette Soccer Saturday pundit hopes he will be reporting on United playing games back in the country's top flight for the first time since 2004 next term.

One year on from last season's heartache in the Championship's play-offs, Bielsa's Whites sit top of the Championship and one point above West Brom and holding a seven-point cushion in the automatic promotion spots with nine games left.

WHITES BACKING: From former Arsenal star and now Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson. Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images.

Fulham and Brentford heading the chasing pack and while the the Championship campaign remains suspended amidst the country's fight against coronavirus, the EFL are still hoping that all remaining fixtures will be played.

If not, the EFL's framework would have Leeds promoted as champions via their points per game model and Merson feels United have already done more than enough to warrant a place back in the big time.

"Under Marcelo Bielsa, it looked as if they'd do it 12 months ago only for them to run out of gas at the death," said Merson in his Daily Star column.

"But when football went into lockdown in March, they'd arrested a slump which threatened a second successive implosion and looked good for promotion.

MEMORIES: Arsenal's Paul Merson looks to stave off the attentions of Leeds United's Lucas Radebe in the 3-0 loss at Highbury in the Premier League clash of October 1996. Picture by Shaun Botterill/Allsport

"I know the likes of Fulham and Brentford won't agree but if Leeds and West Brom go up, I'll have no complaints at all.

"They've been the two best sides in the Championship this year and look good value for promotion.

"Remember the song? We all hate Leeds.

"Well, it sounds very old hat now because everyone I know is dying to see Leeds back where they belong in the Premier League.

DESPAIR: Aston Villa's Paul Merson and Leeds United's Lee Bowyer look on after Merson hits the crossbar in added time during the 2-1 loss at home to David O'Leary's Whites in January 2001. Picture by Stu Forster/ALLSPORT.

"Whatever is decided in the days ahead, I'm keeping my fingers crossed it works out for the famous Yorkshire club who've been in the doldrums for far too long."

Opening up on his thoughts about United's history and his own playing days against Leeds, Merson said: "It's incredible to think you've got to be well into your twenties to remember Leeds rubbing shoulders with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal.

"And a whole generation of fans in that part of the world have grown up not knowing what it's like to see their favourite team on Match of the Day.

"Personally, I've never had anything against Leeds. In fact, I quite liked the club because I always seemed to do well against them.

Paul Merson outlines Leeds United wish and opens up on affection for Whites