Another season, another home defeat, another game without troubling the scoreboard. Yet despite all of that Manchester United have reasons to be optimistic about their fortunes in this year’s Premier League.
They lost nine times and drew three of the other ten games at Old Trafford last term and the 15 occasions they failed to score was the worst record in the league bar relegated Southampton and Leicester City.
So why did the home fans applaud Ruben Amorim’s side off the pitch when the final whistle blew to condemn them to a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in the curtain-raiser for the new campaign?
There were certainly signs of life as United attacked with intent and they were only denied goals by the excellent saves produced by Gunners goalkeeper David Raya, who was performing at his very best.
New signings Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and 65th-minute substitute Benjamin Sesko did more than enough to show they will be a far more efficient, potent strikeforce than last season’s limp and lacklustre attack but United still look in need of reinforcements elsewhere on the pitch.
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They are going to have to splash out more than the £201million spent on the three forwards if they are to drastically improve on last term’s 15th place in the final reckoning, with a new man to stand between the posts the main priority this transfer window.
Turkey international Altay Bayindir was at fault for Arsenal’s winner and with doubts already raised about Andre Onana it seems clear an upgrade is needed in this critical position.
They have already been linked with Paris Saint-Germain outcast Gianluigi Donnarumma and are 9/2 with bet365 to bring the Italy international across the Channel from France but the same firm go 2/5 he signs for neighbours Manchester City instead.
With former Brest shot-stopper Marco Bizot impressing in the 0-0 draw with Newcastle on Saturday, it may be that Aston Villa decide to sell Emiliano Martinez – who was suspended for that game – to bring in funds to fight off fears of breaching financial regulations if they make further transfers themselves before the deadline.
Argentina’s World Cup winner is 10/3 with bet365 to join United, which would be a real coup for Amorim, although before fans get too excited, they go 1/5 he stays put at Villa.
United will have to sell players to generate funds and balance the books and misfiring forward Rasmus Hojlund is 2/9 with Paddy Power to attempt to reignite his career at AC Milan, with Hojlund 5/1 with the same firm to replace Sesko at RB Leipzig, while England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who was an unused substitute against Arsenal, is 3/1 with BetVictor to join any Serie A side.
Interestingly, he is 7/2 with Paddy Power, Betfair and Sky Bet to join Brighton, presumably as the makeweight in a deal which would send Carlos Baleba in the opposite direction which is 8/13 with William Hill.
Football League odds
Stevenage, Luton, Stockport and Huddersfield form Tuesday’s Football League acca.
Cricket odds
Trent Rockets men are 10/11 with BetGoodwin to beat Manchester Originals as The Hundred heats up and England star Joe Root is 9/2 with Paddy Power, Betfair and Sky Bet to be the top batter.