Manchester United sealed a 1-0 victory against Wolverhampton in a keenly-contested Premier League fixture at Molineux on Sunday to maintain an unbeaten start to the season, and if you are looking to put your bet365 bonus to good use, the Red Devils are a good bet to go unbeaten during September as well.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side head into the international break as one of the seven clubs yet to taste defeat in England’s top-flight this season.
Following a 5-1 demolition of Leeds United at Old Trafford on the opening weekend, United could only manage an underwhelming 1-1 draw away to Southampton on Matchday 2.
Sunday’s triumph in the West Midlands did not only help the Red Devils welcome the international break undefeated but saw them make history in the Premier League.
United excelled Arsenal’s record of 27 straight away top-flight matches without losing to become the first side in the Premier League history to go unbeaten in 28 consecutive road trips.
A decent start to the season, coupled with Cristiano Ronaldo’s sensational return to the Theatre of Dreams that dominated Man Utd news for the last week or so, has lifted spirits in Manchester ahead of a hectic September schedule.
Congested schedule
Another day in the office?
United will be back in action on September 11 when they play host to underperforming Newcastle United at Old Trafford.
After avoiding relegation thanks to an upturn in form down the final stretch of last season, the Magpies have started their new Premier League campaign with a whimper rather than a bang.
Steve Bruce’s men have failed to win any of their inaugural three Premier League outings in 2021/22, halting a run of two successive losses with a 2-2 home draw against Southampton last time out.
A lack of defensive reinforcements has seen Newcastle concede an average of 2.66 goals per game across their opening three league fixtures, letting in at least two in each.
Given United’s scoring prowess and their recent head-to-head record at Old Trafford, the Tyneside outfit seem likely to maintain that trend in the second week of September.
The Red Devils have won four top-flight encounters against Newcastle at home since a goalless stalemate in August 2015, notably scoring 3+ goals on each occasion.
Champions League curtain-raiser
United and Young Boys have been drawn together in the Champions League group stage for the second time in four years.
After failing to progress from last season’s Champions League group phase, the Red Devils will be keen to make things right this time around.
United’s 2021/22 Champions League journey begins on September 14 at the Stadion Wankdorf against a side they have outscored by an aggregate 4-0 scoreline in their only previous meetings in the competition.
Serie A high-flyers Atalanta and reigning Europa League champions Villarreal are the remaining side in Group F, meaning a compelling start against the section minnows is required.
Led by the competition’s best-ever goalscorer, Cristiano Ronaldo, Solskjaer’s side should face no problems overcoming the perennial Swiss holders.
Familiar Foe
A few days after their Champions League opener, Man United will travel to the London Stadium to trade tackles with the in-form West Ham United side.
Although he epically failed as Sir Alex Ferguson’s heir at Old Trafford, David Moyes has been a catalyst to trigger West Ham’s resurrection.
A promising start to the season that includes a brace of landslide victories over Newcastle and Leicester, accompanied by a 2-2 home draw with Crystal Palace, puts the Hammers on a par with United.
The 2020/21 campaign included, the Londoners have now bagged at least two goals in five Premier League games on the trot, highlighting the potential for fierce resistance on home soil.
There is another good omen for West Ham here, considering they have outplayed the Red Devils in two of their last three top-flight meetings in the capital.
After steering his side to last season’s top-six finish, Moyes will now hope to improve his disappointing managerial record against United.
The Englishman laments a 12.9% win ratio versus his ex-employers, having managed just four victories in 31 matches against the Red Devils (D7, L20).
Same sides – different ground
Even if he fails to beat Man United on home turf, Moyes will have another opportunity to upset his former company on September 21 when they lock horns in the Carabao Cup.
United and West Ham will square off at Old Trafford in a cup game just four days after their Premier League showdown in London.
The privilege of playing in front of the home crowd has paid massive dividends as the Red Devils turned Old Trafford into a fortress when hosting the Hammers.
It’s been 14 years since the London side last tasted victory in Manchester, with United going unbeaten in their 18 consecutive such clashes across all competitions (W13, D5).
Adding to the home team’s confidence, they kept nine clean sheets during that 18-match sequence, conceding precisely once per game in the other nine.
Walloping boys
Aston Villa will pay a visit to Old Trafford on September 25, desperate to defy the role of United’s favourite opposition.
Since Gabriel Agbonlahor catapulted the Villans to a narrow 1-0 victory at this venue in December 2009, Villa’s Premier League matches against United have often seen one-way traffic.
The Red Devils have not lost any of their last 17 top-flight meetings with this adversary (W13, D4), winning both encounters in 2020/21 despite failing to keep a clean sheet in each.
Despite adding a few high-profile names to their squad to mitigate the damage caused by Jack Grealish’s move to Manchester City, the Villans have blown hot and cold this term.
They have experienced mixed fortunes across their first three Premier League outings in 2021/22 (W1, D1, L1), even though they faced two newly-promoted sides in that period.
Payback Time
Man United’s third straight home game in late September pits them against Villarreal in the second round of the Champions League group stage fixtures.
Given the Spaniard’s slow start to their new domestic campaign (D3), the encounter at the Theatre of Dreams sounds like a prime opportunity for United to exact their revenge.
The Yellow Submarine outscored Solskjaer’s side following a penalty shoot-out in the 2020/21 Europa League grand final.
Unai Emery’s team succumbed to a 1-0 loss to Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup showpiece event in early August as they appear to be suffering a hangover following their eye-catching European success last term.
Interestingly, though, United and Villarreal have faced each other four times in the Champions League, with each encounter yielding a scoreless draw.
David Moyes – Record against … | Transfermarkt
