Ronnie a hindrance? Form is temporary, class is permanent
TO think some people would actually think Cristiano Ronaldo was hindering United’s chances of bringing back the glory years to Old Trafford.
I’d turn that argument on its head and argue where would we be without the world’s greatest player who keeps proving that form is temporary but class permanent?
He was at it again on Tuesday, saving not just the club from Champions League defeat against Atalanta, but also going a long way to keeping Ole Gunnnar Solskjaer in his job.
I’m just so chuffed he opted to rejoin us – as I knew he would – rather than extend his absolutely brilliant career with City.
On Saturday Ronaldo is 4/1 with Betfted to score first – and set alight the Old Trafford Derby.
He’s the likely penalty taker, too, so is a sound bet in the game that City start as odds on favourites.
Incidentally, I wasn’t wrong when I said there would be goals between Liverpool and United at Old Trafford, was I?
Pity for me as a big United fan that all five were for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
I also reckoned that in a one-off match, anything could happen which I stand by ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime encounter.
Anyway, I’ve recovered now from the Liverpool humiliation… just.
I’m predicting goals again when our noisy neighbours City visit and, rather unlike me, I’m going to sit on the fence just this once and go for a 2-2 draw, which is 12/1 at Betfred.
The form book goes out the window at times like this, and with our fantastic fans roaring us on United will get at least a point.
Betfred have City, who have been showing some inconsistencies of their own of late, 4/5 favourites – while United are 7/2 to get all three points.
The Blues are, meanwhile, 11/8 favourites to retain the Premier League title this season, ahead of
Chelsea at 15/8 and Liverpool at 11/4.
Unsurprisingly, United are on the drift at 33/1 to win the title.
Ironically, City’s weakness is United’s strength, with us having so many players who could be centre forward while the Blues are still suffering from not signing Harry Kane.
Ronaldo, with four league goals this season including his volleyed opener at Spurs on Saturday, is 5/1 with Betfred to be the Premier League top scorer this season behind ten-goal Mo Salah who is favourite on even money.
Next up is Romelu Lukaku – three goals for Chelsea so far this season – at 8/1 with Leicester’s veteran who has hit the back of the net on seven occasions already at a tempting 14/1.
I remain in support of Solskjaer staying on in the United hot seat, but he really does need to start proving he’s the boss and putting a decent run together with at least a point on Saturday.
And United must win silverware this season, because we remain one of the richest clubs in the world and should be dining at the top table.