The new Premier League season is up and running with Old Trafford set to stage a blockbuster between Manchester United and Arsenal.
A new season means new targets which in Manchester United’s case is a wholesale improvement on last term’s dismal effort while for Arsenal it is turning second place into first.
These are massive clubs who have headed in very different directions over the last few years and Ruben Amorim, backed heavily in the transfer market, needs to show the good times are soon to return at United.
Ahead of this Sunday special we have identified a 13/2 bet builder for the contest.
Manchester United vs Arsenal Tips
Bruno Fernandes 2+ Shots @ 4/6
Over 3.5 Cards @ 30/100
Declan Rice 1+ Shots on Target @ 6/4
Under 4.5 Goals @ 2/15
Pays out at 13/2
Bruno to outgun new arrivals
The cavalry has turned up at Old Trafford this summer with Amorim splashing out millions on a trio of classy frontmen in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
Much is expected of all three, though one man whose attacking output is pretty much non-negotiable is Bruno Fernandes, still the heartbeat of this United set-up.
Whether in the pivot or one of Amorim’s two options off the front man, Fernandes is critical to everything United do going forward, and he will chip in with goals this season, as he always does.
The Portuguese schemer averaged 2.7 shots per game for his side last term, more than anyone else, and has found the net three times in pre-season.
He never needs a second invitation to try his luck, takes penalties and free-kicks, so expect him to have at least two sighters of the Arsenal goal.
Leg 1: Bruno Fernandes 2+ Shots @ 4/6
Old tensions never far away
Fixtures between these two clubs were often bloodbaths back in the Sir Alex Ferguson/Arsene Wenger era and there is still plenty of latent tension.
Last season, when they met in round three of the FA Cup for example, there were seven yellow cards and a red flashed by referee Andy Madley.
No side saw more reds than Arsenal last term – six – while United averaged 2.3 cards per game. These clubs can between them combine for at least four cards.
Leg 2: Over 3.5 Cards @ 30/100
Rice nice to hit the target
Declan Rice mustered four goals from 48 shots from central midfield and proved a welcome weapon arriving late around the edge of the box.
The former West Ham man never needs a second invitation to unload and is well worth chancing to hit the target, as he did on his last visit to Old Trafford in March when his 74th-minute poke earned the Gunners a 1-1 draw.
Leg 3: Declan Rice 1+ Shots on Target @ 6/4
Intent might not be matched by goals
There were three fixtures between these sides last season, two in the Premier League, the other in the FA Cup. Each of them produced two goals.
Only two of the last 20 showdowns between United and Arsenal have produced over four goals so there are no obvious grounds for thinking there is going to be a flood of goals this weekend.
Leg 4: Under 4.5 Goals @ 2/15
