Manchester United v Wolverhampton Tips: Red Devils to add to Wolves' woes

The final match of the opening weekend of the Premier League season pits Manchester United against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday night.

Positivity growing at Old Trafford

United fans are daring to dream of a first genuine title tilt since the Sir Alex Ferguson era this term. The Red Devils have twice finished second since the Scot retired in 2013, but on neither occasion did they get close to the eventual winners Manchester City.

United have won four trophies in the post-Ferguson era, but that is not satisfactory for a club of their size. David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick all tried to restore United to their former glories, but none succeeded.

The hope is that Erik ten Hag can be the manager to get United winning on a regular basis again, and the early signs are good. A third-place finish and EFL Cup triumph in 2022/23 represented a solid if unspectacular start. But Ten Hag has already changed the culture of a club that seemed broken as recently as 18 months ago.

The takeover uncertainty remains an unwelcome distraction, but United have done some pretty good business in this summer’s transfer market.

Andre Onana is an upgrade on David de Gea in goal, principally because he will be able to build from the back as Ten Hag desires. Mason Mount will bring energy and dynamism to the midfield, while the 20-year-old striker Rasmus Hojlund is a bright prospect.

Whether United are quite ready to mix it with Manchester City and Arsenal remains to be seen, but there is certainly reason for optimism ahead of the new campaign.

Turmoil in the Wolves camp

That commodity is in short supply at Molineux after what has been a chaotic summer. Things got even worse for Wolves on Tuesday evening, when the club announced that it has parted ways with Julen Lopetegui by mutual consent.

The Spaniard did a fine job last term, inheriting a team that was bottom of the Premier League and leading them into mid-table. But his frustrations over a lack of investment have led to his exit, with Gary O’Neil replacing him on the eve of the big kick-off.

Wolves have lost some important players in recent weeks. Club captain Ruben Neves and his long-time midfield partner Joao Moutinho have both departed, as has the former talismanic striker Raul Jimenez. Nathan Collins, who starred at centre-back in 2022/23, has been sold to Brentford.

Little wonder, then, that Wolves are among the favourites for relegation. The off-field turmoil is a boost for United, who should emerge victorious without too much difficulty on Monday night. A win by a two-goal margin or more should be well within reach.

Recommended Bet:

Manchester United -1.5 Asian handicap at 1.91