* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Apparently Cristiano Ronaldo is back at Manchester United. They kept that one quiet. But, never one to miss a wicked whisper, Paddy Power’s football ambassador Phil Thompson is on hand to deliver his verdict on the emotional return.
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He’s teamed up with Paddy’s top football trader Jason Murphy to take a look at how Ronaldo will fit in at Old Trafford and to deliver a best bet for Man United’s match with Newcastle on Saturday. Take it away, lads.
3pm: Manchester United v Newcastle
JASON
I’m a Manchester United fan but, with my trader hat on, Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t improve Manchester United’s chances of winning the title. The odds are saying they have about a one in 10 chance of winning the league this season and that there’s three teams better than them.
I won’t be backing him to score before the teams are announced [as he might be on the bench]. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s got a couple of options there and I think for this first game he possibly starts on the bench and then does come on eventually.
Against Newcastle it doesn’t matter who United start, they should be winning this game, let’s be honest about it! Newcastle have been awful so far this season. Their performance in the first half against Southampton was atrocious.
But, for this match, Manchester United to Win and Over 2.5 Goals is my best bet – just to get a bit of juice in the price. Whether Ronaldo starts or comes on you’d like to think that, if United are going to move in the right direction, this is a game they have to win.
THOMMO
I’m wondering where Ronaldo fits into this Manchester United side and it’s a conundrum for me because Ole has said he’s a centre forward and I’m going, when has he played as a centre forward with his back to goal? It’s been a long time.
It’s like Lionel Messi, he’s not a centre forward who plays down the middle. They like to drift in from the left or right where they get all their goals from. This, to me, I think Ronaldo starts on the bench.
Steve Bruce must think, ‘my goodness there’s someone up there who does not like me, giving me this game with Ronaldo coming home.’ This Newcastle side have already dropped five points from winning positions this season. That is not good enough for Newcastle. For me this is a resounding Manchester United Win.
Tips for Man Utd v Newcastle
Jason: Manchester United to Win and Over 2.5 Goals
Thommo: Manchester United to Win
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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