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Manchester United will look to go some way to recovering from their disastrous exit in the Champions League on Wednesday by cutting the gap to Manchester City at the top of the Premier League when they go up against Wolves this weekend.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s team will still be reeling from their 2-1 defeat against Basel that sent them crashing out of Europe’s premier club competition and into the Europa League, while many of his players will need to take a long hard look in the mirror after partaking in one of the lowest moments in the Scots reign.
In fact the defeat marked only the third time in 17 years that United have gone out of the Champions League at the group stage, but not only that they now have to face up to the potential impact of the Europa League getting in the way of what realistically is their only remaining target this season – retaining their Premier League title.
If you were to discount their form away from the Premier League, United have been picking up wins on a regular basis to keep the pressure Manchester City at the top of the table.
Last week’s win against Aston Villa marked their fourth 1-0 win in five league games and while the goals haven’t been flying in the Red Devils have been doing enough to retain second place in the league.
With City not playing till Monday and still nursing their own ego after their Champions League exit on Wednesday, come next week things may look a lot brighter at Old Trafford if they end up just two points behind their great rivals.
Ferguson will have to deal with a growing injury list going into the game, although Dimitar Berbatov could return after missing the game against Basel.
That will likely be a welcome relief for Ferguson as he continues to manage his striker injury woes, with Javier Hernandez out for a month having limped off against Villa, while Michael Owen is a long term absentee.
Tom Cleverley is also on the injury list and will be out for some time alongside Anderson, but Michael Carrick will return having been suspended in mid-week.
Wolves have no new injuries going into the game with Jody Craddock the only long-term absentee. Otherwise Mick McCarthy has a full squad to choose from as he looks to guide his side further away from the relegation zone.
They now sit four points clear of the bottom three after last week’s win against Everton as they continue to recover from their woeful run of form in recent months.
Match winner
Manchester United have won their last five games against Wolves and are unbeaten in their last six, and coupled with home advantage they are clear favourites for the game.
United are 1.22 (2/9 )with SkyBet to take all three points while Wolves are long shots at 16/1 with VC Bet to add to Ferguson’s already considerable woes.
The draw is at 6.50 (11/2) with BetFred.
First Goalscorer
With United’s considerable striking injuries, the first goalscorer market has taken on an interesting complex.
Wayne Rooney leads the way despite failing to find the net in the Premier League since the 3-1 win over Chelsea in September, but the England striker is 4.33 (10/3) with Bet365
to break his duck.
Danny Welbeck may start alongside Rooney and is 5.50 (9/2) with BWIN to get the first goal, while if Berbatov is selected he can be backed at the same price with the same bookmaker.
Wolves’ main threat comes courtesy of Kevin Doyle, who is generously placed at 17.00 (16/1) with Bet365.
Recommended Bets
First Goalscorer: Wayne Rooney, 4.33 (10/3) Bet365
Correct score: 1-0 Manchester United, 8.50 (15/2) SkyBet
