Bet On Man Utd To Win Europa League
Securing Mourinho’s signature was a major coup for United. The charismatic Portuguese is a proven winner and usually delivers immediate success. His presence is already being felt as Manchester United have won three of four Premier League games, losing their first match of the year against rivals City at home 2-1.
Mourinho took some of the blame for starting Jesse Lingard and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in that match, decisions we are still scratching our head over. Looks like Mourinho’s hubris got in the way because there is no other logical explanation for changing a lineup that hadn’t lost prior to the derby.
But can Mourinho lead United to European glory in the Europa League and does he have the desire and penchant for winning a competition that always plays second fiddle to the Champions League?
We think so.
Man Utd, clear favourites at -300 to win Group A, are drawn against Fenerbache, Feyenoord and Zorya Lugansk. Unfortunately, unless you put a lot of cash down, you won’t make big returns on this bet. It is, though, as close to a sure thing as you’ll find in the betting world.
Make no mistake about it, the Europa League isn’t a priority for Mourinho’s United. But it’s a competition they have every chance of winning. The team has too much depth, skill, experience and pedigree not to be considered as prime favourites.
Mourinho will invariably start his fringe players in the Europa League until it comes to crunch time, which is the one worrying thing for United’s chances.
We believe, however, that United’s fringe players have the skill set they require to make do without some of the big guns.
Marcus Rashford will excel in this competition. It’s the perfect platform for the lightning-quick forward to show how good he actually is. Also, it will inject him with the confidence needed to grow, and eventually, thrive in the Premier League.
Now go ahead and start Jesse Lingard and Henrikh Mkhitaryan if you deem it appropriate Jose. We have no idea why you risked it against your most fierce rivals in the biggest game of the Premier League campaign to date, but have every confidence these two can handle the likes of Fenerbache and Feyenoord.
Man United are pegged at +500 favourites to win the entire competition, a bet we recommend jumping on the minute you finish this article. Mourinho, once into the knockout stages, will call upon his top players to propel his team to glory. They won’t disappoint and will end Sevilla’s three-year reign as Europa League champions.
