Pilkington, who takes on BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson in predicting this week's Premier League fixtures, was a boyhood Manchester City fan but switched sides to United in the 1990s.
"A bit of me now wishes I could change again, because City are good, aren't they?" Pilkington explained.
"But you can't, can you? I realise that now as I get older - that it is about being loyal, isn't it?
"Still, I feel like supporting United is like having a tortoise as a pet. I had a tortoise, and they are not entertaining to watch. You don't watch them, but you know you have got a bit of responsibility to show some interest.
"That is what I do with United. I keep an eye on them.
"I don't watch them every game because, at the minute, that is a waste of 90 minutes. I just look at the result and if they win it is a bonus, I have no expectations any more."
Lawro says
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45651999
Brighton were a bit unlucky to lose to Tottenham last weekend - I have talked before about how good they are at fighting back in games but it is not a positive that they seem to have to go behind before you see a reaction.
It is Manchester City they are playing this week, though, so I think we can forgive them if they do ship a goal or two.
I was with Seagulls boss Chris Hughton, an old Republic of Ireland team-mate of mine, in Dublin on Monday.
He is very pragmatic and his approach is to treat every single Premier League game like it's a cup final because every point they get could end up being the one that keeps them up.
Chris told me he does not let his players get too excited when they win, or too down when they lose - and I cannot see him or his team dwelling too much on this result if they do get beaten.
Lawro's prediction: 3-0
Karl's prediction: No doubt about it, another City win. It is just a case of how many numbers and how high shall we go? 4-1
Merson says
https://www.skysports.com/football/news ... -liverpool
The problem with Man City is they've put themselves in a positon now where they've got a big Champions League game in midweek. If they had beaten Lyon at home, it's a different game but they've probably got to go to Hoffenheim and win now.
Highlights from Manchester City's 5-0 win over Cardiff in the Premier League
He might rest a couple of players for this game. If he wasn't resting anyone, I'd just see it as a big test going to Hoffenheim next week.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
Well it's not often you see Merson be more conservative than Lawro
