Manchester United Betting Preview

Welcome to August! The start of August means we are only a few weeks away from the start of the Premier League season. Where did the time go? It seems like yesterday we were sweating on the last day of the season. It was a matchday that saw Manchester City win their fourth title in a row.

With new Premier League champions Southampton, Ipswich Town and Leicester City joining this season, we should expect some great races up and down the table.

Over the next two weeks, I will provide betting previews for the newcomers and the top teams in the league.

This week, our focus is on Manchester United.

Manchester United Betting Preview

Can Manchester United (+2000) win the League?

The short answer? No.

Despite winning silverware last season, Erik Ten Hag led United to their worst season in Premier League history. A lot of things will have to change for me to have any hope of them winning the league, even at a good price of +2000.

Finishing eighth in the table and eight points adrift of a Champions League place was a huge letdown for United and its supporters.

United’s biggest problem was the lack of goals compared to the goals they scored. They only scored 57 goals while conceding 58. Their 57 goals were 19 fewer than any team that qualified for Europe.

They brought in Rasmus Hojlund last season. However, he could only find the back of the net 10 times in 30 games.

Let’s not forget Ten Hag was on the hot seat before Sir Jim Ratcliffe extended his contract. Recently, Ratcliffe suggested that the target for the Premier League title this season could be too high, and I agree.

United’s aim should be to return to the Champions League. With no Champions League games to round out their schedule, they should make a strong run for the top four.

As poor as United were defensively, they should be relieved. Star center fielder Lisandro Martinez is healthy and improving. They will also have the services of Luke Shaw, who missed time last season.

The signing of 18-year-old Leny Yoro has generated much excitement. However, both he and Hojlund are expected to miss significant time due to current injuries.

They should see a climb up the table if they can improve defensively. Finishing inside the top four (+185) is not possible. However, I have them close to sixth in my power level.

Passengers to Watch

Bruno Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes will be the engine that makes this team work this season. Last year, he started 35 games and contributed 18 goals. His eight assists tied his tally from last season. Currently, the over 9.5 help line is set at -150. He hasn’t surpassed that mark in the past three seasons. He has surpassed that mark just once in his five seasons.

He will need to contribute more if his team is to compete, let alone finish in the top four.

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Andrew Onan

At the end of the season, there was a feeling that Andre Onana was a window transfer. However, his first season with United was a surprise. The Cameroonian goalkeeper conceded 58 goals last season. His closest tally was in 2015-16 when he played in the Eerste Divisie for Jong Ajax.

Onana is not entirely to blame for the excessive number of goals conceded. Goals must happen when your team allows more shots. However, Onana is a player to watch. If his game improves in the second season of the Premier League, we should see a big increase in the level of play of Manchester United.

Manchester United Bet Favorite Match

Jadon Sancho’s return at the end of his loan at Borussia Dortmund is huge for United. His creativity should help boost his team’s goals this season. Bringing in Joshua Zirkzee and Yoro should help strengthen this back line and give them some much needed depth.

However, is that enough to get them into the top four? Maybe not. The problem is that there is no value for not finishing in the top four at -275.

There is a bet related to them finishing outside the top four, which I like: Manchester United under 64 Points (-120).

Last season, there was a sense that it was a good time to be a bad team. With the lower ranks of the newly promoted teams, you are almost guaranteed at least six points in three road trips.

Manchester United got 60 points last season, 39 from the lower leagues and 16 from the newly promoted teams.

The expectation is that the newly promoted teams this season will be stronger than the last three. This means that the teams in the lower division will play hard, knowing that they have to score when they can, and not throw away any chances.