For those who are looking for a naughty little bet, Manchester United are looking tasty for the Premier League. Manchester City are, currently, 8/11 to win the league. Manchester United are, currently, 11/5.
This is understandable but I think there is value in that market.
Manchester City have started astonishingly well. More points after 12 games than any team for decades and scoring pots of goals. Yes, they have had a blistering start. Yes, many of their players are on top form. Yes, they've got the best player in the league. But, as I said in my interview with Republik of Mancunia, Manchester United have the manager, Manchester City have the players. What I meant by this was, if I were picking a combined Manchester XI, I'd probably have more City players than United players. I'd definitely have Ferguson in the dugout.
It is often stated that Manchester United are slow starters and they really change gear in the second half of the season. If that is true, and the analysis seems to hold, Manchester United's odds are longer than they should be. And this is the ominous part... Only twice in Premier League history have Manchester United started a season better than they have done this year (in 1993/1994 and in 2006/2007). History suggests to us that Manchester United will do even better in the second half of the season. The City players, and their manager, are likely to be met with a relentless whirlwind post-Christmas.
One thing which undermines this analysis is that Manchester United have lost, in the last 12 months or so, players who have been there in the heat of war and who understand a title race inside out. Will losing men who have been there, done that, and got the ''we won it 12 times t-shirt'' mean they are less likely to kick on after Christmas? I'm unconvinced.
There are still a number of players in and around the Manchester United starting XI who haven't been in that sort of battle before (Welbeck, Cleverley, Jones and Young). Sir Alex is just the man to ensure that those who have been involved in previous races marshal the young guns.
So there's is the bet: Will Manchester United do their usual post-Christmas? If you think the answer is yes, put a bet on United. They've rarely been in such a good position at this stage in the season. They tend to be in a very good position at the end of the season.
RCM
7 comments:
Goood article..but it's all over already - it's a 5 way battle for the runners up spot - fact, hsve you seen United recently I have not seen so much dull football since the sexton era, we need a good right back 2 midfielders before we can compete again - a season of transition and time to blood young talent hopefully
I'm not sure it is over already - City have got Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea in the next few weeks. I'd wager they'll drop points in two of those games.
Wins are wins. I reckon United will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season - hence why I think there is value in the market.
And to add to Rob's point, United have just about the easiest run of games left in 2011 of any of the top six.
It's got to come to an end at some point, but it won't necessarily be this one. AD67 - remember the bad couple of years c.2004, 2005, when Chelsea bought every player United were chasing, Liverpool were winning the Champions League and the last great Wenger side were still together?
You've got a good right back - Valencia. Or, at least, he could soon be comverted into a good right back.
MU fans - pray that Vidic stays fit.
MC fans - pray that at least a couple stay fit out of Silva, Aguerro, Kompany, Hart, ......
Very good interest to read. By Regards Wholesale Printing
I am not sure if this Man Utd team are good enough to do their usual xmas-summer winning spree this year!
Post a Comment