If anybody had predicted at the start of the current season that by the end of the January transfer window Manchester United had lost the services of Ronaldo and were still in with a chance of winning the Premier League, it’s likely that person wouldn’t have been taken very seriously.
OFFICIAL: Manchester United confirm that Cristiano Ronaldo will leave the club by mutual consent, with immediate effect pic.twitter.com/B3QfLnoqkc
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 22, 2022
But here we are in the second half of the season, and that’s exactly what has happened. Ronaldo has gone from the club and the Premier League, and United are in what now looks like a three-horse race to win the Premier League title.
Erik ten Hag has steadied the ship
Major credit needs to go to Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman had a chaotic start to his career at the club with the defeats to Brighton and Brentford. But he kept his cool and has since gone on to show that he can handle the pressures of managing a huge club like United.
But what now for the Red Devils? Should expectations remain high that United can win the Premier League? Or should fans view the 2022/23 season as a building block to better things and focus on taking things step-by-step? Perhaps just settling for a top four finish this season, and a return to the UEFA Champions League.
The answer could be both. Neither of United’s main two rivals at the top of the Premier League table are convincing this season. So, if they both continue to stutter and drop points, then why not? But expectations have to be realistic. If a certain blue club gets on a roll, then no one will probably be able to stop them. And in that eventuality, ensuring a top four finish would be a good season for ten Hag’s team – obviously finishing as high up the table within the top four as possible.
Is United a good bet to win the Premier League this season?
At odds of 20/1, anybody looking to make a profit from betting on the Premier League might see United as a good value prediction. If United can get on a winning run, then those betting odds will soon disappear.
The profit to loss ratio of betting on United at those odds makes it a value prediction, and one that would give gamblers a better chance of limiting losses should the bet go wrong. A tipster site like Sports Betting Portfolio would provide value bets like this based on carried out analysis. Bets of this kind would make up part of a betting portfolio that could also cover sports like cricket and greyhound racing, all designed to make long term profits. The bet on United to win the title would suit this portfolio as it would be classed as far better value than the 1/10 available on United to finish in the top four.
Patience is still required from United fans
Expectations have to be realistic though. It’s already the case that United are having a good season. Not many expected the club to win the Premier League at the start of the campaign, so fans have to be realistic if the team falls away.
Erik ten Hag is in his first season at the club. He’s shown he can deal with big issues, and he’s also shown he can improve players, just look at the performances of Marcus Rashford who is firing Manchester United FC back into the Champions League next season.
Marcus Rashford has now scored 12 Premier League goals this season. He has only scored more League goals in a season once (2019/20).
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 13, 2023
Back to his best. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mok235m55o
It might not come this season, but ten Hag seems to have the club on the right track. And with a bit of patience and sensible recruitment, it could be that the good times are not that far away again.
