GUNNAR BE EMOTIONAL
Ole set for Cardiff return
NORWEGAN Ole Gunnar Solskjaer takes charge of Manchester United for the first time at Cardiff City tonight – the club that sacked him in 2014.
The new United caretaker boss failed to keep the Bluebirds safe from relegation then made only a moderate start to their following Championship campaign.
Solskjaer’s role is temporary and he will return to Scandinavia at the end of the season.
So the next appointment is huge for a club who have consistently lost ground to Man City and bitter rivals Liverpool since Sir Alex Ferguson left Old Trafford in May 2013. Prices for Man Utd manager on opening day of 2019-20
Manchester United to beat Cardiff to nil ............. 17-10
Go to BetVictor.com
Mauricio Pochettino .................... 5-2 Zinedine Zidane .......................... 4-1 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ................. 5-1
Solskjaer has the chance to impress but my understanding is Spurs boss Pochettino is first choice – if he can be prised away from north London and Daniel Levy in the summer.
Ole’s Molde side finished runners-up to Rosenborg last season and were regarded as the most exciting side in the division.
I expect United to play with more pace and flair under the ‘babyfaced assassin’.
They have lost their last three away games at newly promoted clubs but I expect a winning start to post-Mourinho life.
The Old Trafford outfit are 3-5 at BetVictor to take all three points and 17-10 to win to nil which is the recommendation.
United are 10-3 with BetVictor to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League, having been drawn against Paris St-Germain on Monday.
Roberto Di Matteo won the Champions League as caretaker boss at Chelsea back in 2012. Can Solskjaer emulate that feat in the final in Madrid on June 1 – his last game in charge? I wouldn’t bet on it.
United are 10-1 to finish the campaign in the top four, 6-1 to win any major trophy and 40-1 to win the Champions League.
Arsenal look to return to winning ways at home to Burnley in today’s early kick-off.
The Gunners have had a poor week – losing at Southampton in the Premier League being dumped out of the League Cup at home to Spurs in midweek.
The Clarets have failed to score in seven of their last 10 games on the road – including their last three – although they defended well at Wembley last weekend before going down to a late Spurs winner.
Arsenal have yet to lead at half-time in any of their previous 17 league games but Unai Emery’s side will want to make a statement.
The Gunners are 8-11 to lead at half-time-fulltime with BetVictor and that is the recommendation.
They are 6-4 to end the season in the top four but could also qualify for the Champions League through the Europa League which they are 5-1 to win having been drawn against BATE Borisov in the last 32.