Manchester United v MLS All Stars Betting Odds
Manchester United to win: 3/5 at Bet365
Draw: 14/5 at Boylesports
MLS All Stars: 4/1 at SkyBet
Manchester United will be looking to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat to the Kansas City Wizards, as they take on the best that the American MLS has to offer. This will be a tough test for United, as the MLS All Star team has never lost to Premier League opposition. Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson will be looking for a little bit more composure from his side after their loss against Kansas, where he blamed the inexperience of the back four for their eventual downfall. While United haven’t been very active in the transfer market this summer, apart from in the rumour mill, the signing of Mexican striker Javier Hernandez could be one of those great understated pick ups from the Old Trafford boss. The twenty two year old Hernandez should be able to make his debut for Manchester United against the MLS All Stars, and there are big things expected of him. He is the big signing, and a pretty shrewd one too, getting his signature before his stock went up after the World Cup and he will attract focus, even though Ferguson has been told that he has the funds to sign one world class player. But for now the attention from United fans will be on Hernandez, in the hope that he can offer some genuine goal scoring support for Wayne Rooney.
The “Little Pea” as he Hernandez is affectionately(?) nicknamed (El Chicharito) is spark of enthusiasm and shone at the 2010 FIFA World Cup where he hit two goals for his country. For the MLS All Star match, which is being held in Houston, and so home to plenty of Mexicans, Hernandez will have a lot of support as he is seen as the bright hope for the future of the country’s football. He has become an international star, a household name and something Mexican football can be proud of, especially after signing for one of the biggest clubs in the world. In Manchester United’s friendly against Chivas on Friday, Hernandez will put in an appearance for one half of the match for his old club, and the other for his new one. The two footed striker hit 21 goals in 28 games for Chivas last season. But first on the cards is the Manchester United v MLS All Stars match, which Hernandez will probably only play a short part of. He has been resting after the World Cup and probably a little way short of match conditioning. Ferguson will use him in a limited capacity, working him into the team in the quickest, yet most efficient way.
Manchester United v MLS All Stars Anytime Goalscorer Odds:
Javier Hernandez: 6/5 at William Hill
Dimitar Berbatov: Evens at William Hill
Juan Pablo Angel: 3/1 at Coral
United don’t have their full first team available, as Ferguson gives rest to the likes of Wayne Rooney and awaits full recovery of some other players like Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Owen. Even on the MLS side there may not be quite as full a complement of players for lengthy periods of the match as would be hoped, as a few players like Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle will have played a match the previous evening. They will be there, but in limited roles. Former Aston Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel should get a long stint, as he is doing great in the MLS with his club the New York Red Bulls, where former Arsenal star Thierry Henry just arrived. Henry obviously is not in the All Star squad, but the MLS side should be pretty strong as the league continues to grow and develop its own stars. There’s no David Beckham either as he is injured, which is a bit of a shame not seeing him turn out against his old club. In the mix as well will be the foreign imports as well as the best home based players in America, but this is largely a chance for the US to send out a message about the level of quality surrounding their domestic game.
Manchester United Tour 2010
Results:
Kansas City Wizards 2, Manchester United 1
Philadelphia Union 0, Manchester United 1
Celtic 1, Manchester Utd 3
Fixtures:
MLS All Stars v Manchester United, Wednesday, July 28th
Chivas Guadalajara v Manchester United, Friday, July 30th
