The last three seasons have been an utter disaster by United’s exceedingly high standards. Following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, the most decorated team in British football finished 7th under David Moyes, and then 4th and 5th under Louis van Gaal’s leadership.
United has endured a barren patch like this before but they have no intentions of making it four years on the trot without a Premiership title. The big question is whether Jose Mourinho, the Portuguese powerhouse who has won league titles in England, Spain and Italy, can bring the Premier League trophy back to Old Trafford in his first season in charge. United are pegged +275 to do so, second-favourites behind neighbours Manchester City (+165).
Mourinho’s United would have a better shot without Guardiola being in charge at City, and although Chelsea (+500) will be a spirited challenger under former Italian supremo Antonio Conte, the two Manchester clubs will likely fight it out for Premiership glory.
Mourinho has made his intentions crystal clear by adding Paul Pogba, for a world record £89m, to a United roster already bolstered by the additions of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mykhitaryan and Eric Bailly. Jose has brought in influential, experienced players who will perform at the highest level.
At +275, Man Utd to win the title is a downright bargain. We recommend jumping all over that futures bet before the price shortens considerably.
Will United make the top four?
While the obvious answer is ‘Of course they will’, it’s only right to look at the potential pitfalls that may affect the Red Devils season. As well as competing in one of the most competitive Premier League seasons in history, United will have to contend with F.A. Cup, Europa League and newly redesigned EFL Cup. Playing 60 matches, compared to Chelsea or Liverpool’s 45, would hamstring most squads; but not United. The depth of this United outfit should, barring a litany of long-term injuries, easily handle the grueling schedule.
Another possible Achilles heel for United could be its unproven defence. Eric Bailly looks like a superb acquisition, but he is still to prove himself in England. He needs to stay healthy and gain confidence with every match, as his pace is vital for United’s back line.
Although Liverpool (Evens), Chelsea (-250), Arsenal (-110) and Tottenham (+120) have strong claims at top-four spots, United, at -700, are all-but guaranteed one of the coveted Champions League positions. Only City at -800 is more heavily favoured.
Can a Manchester United Striker win the Golden Boot?
This may be the market that costs Manchester United supporters more money than any other. United have Wayne Rooney, one of the Premier League’s record goal scorers, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, one of the most clinical strikers in Europe over the last three years and Anthony Martial, who looks like he was created solely to play in the Premier League. But while all three have a chance of winning the Golden Boot, there are compelling reasons to suggest they won’t.
Wayne Rooney is pegged at an astronomical +4000 to become top goal scorer. Having been a talisman for both Everton and United, Rooney no longer has the pace or confidence to be the team’s out-and-out striker. Rooney’s legs have paid a heavy price and he no longer looks capable of scoring bags of goals. While still incredibly influential, Rooney no longer has the attributes needed to be the Premier League’s top goal scorer.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, at +350, has started the season with three goals in two Premier League appearances. Ibra most likely has the best Utd chance of becoming the Golden Boot winner. But his age will prevent him from playing every game and we all know what happens when Mourinho’s teams go up a goal in a match. Parking the bus doesn’t usually correlate to having a Golden Boot winner. However, he is lethal on the counter attack and should never be ruled out of busting a game wide open.
Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero (+225), Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane (+1000) and even Leicester’s Jamie Vardy (+2500) may all be better bets than the eponymous Swede.
Anthony Martial, pegged at +5000, is a good outsider bet but the young striker is too inexperienced. Mourinho has a tendency to play him on the left of an attacking four, which will hinder his goal-scoring output. Martial is a great bet for this honour a few years down the track.