Club football returns to action this midweek following a thrilling World Cup in Qatar, with Manchester United taking on Burnley in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fourth-round tie. United are the betting favourite win the tie, and if you are betting on United, they are a value bet to win all their games in December.
Erik ten Hag’s lads underperformed during the mid-season break. But it’s fair to say the Dutchman lacked numerous significant first-team stars due to their international commitments in the Middle East.
Wednesday’s cup fixture against runaway EFL Championship leaders Burnley will mark the beginning of a new daw as the Red Devils severed ties with Cristiano Ronaldo during the World Cup.
After suffering back-to-back defeats in low-profile exhibition matches against Cadiz and Real Betis, Man Utd will be desperate to pick up where they left off before the six-week hiatus from club football.
Ten Hag’s men first thumped Aston Villa 4-2 in the previous Carabao Cup round to set up this tie against Burnley before squeezing past Fulham 2-1 in their final Premier League outing ahead of the World Cup.
Let’s take a look at Man Utd’s three upcoming games in all competitions and their chances of winning them.
Burnley – Carabao Cup, 21/12/2022
Last season’s shocking cup defeat to Middlesbrough should be enough of a warning for the Red Devils to avoid complacency against the Clarets in the first post-World Cup outing at Old Trafford.
Despite winning both previous home league encounters against Burnley via an identical 3-1 scoreline, Man Utd should not underestimate their visitors, who have lost once on their last ten domestic travels (W5, D4).
With ten Hag likely to give some of his World Cup stars an extra rest period ahead of the Boxing Day clash against Nottingham Forest, several youngsters, including Alejandro Garnacho, may face a stubborn Burnley.
One of the best defensive sides in the Championship will be out to frustrate Man Utd by ‘parking the bus’ in front of their goal, which could lead to a cagey, low-scoring affair.
However, the Red Devils should have this in the bag any day of the week, with the odds (1.40) firmly backing them to thrive here.
Man Utd 2-0 Burnley
Nottingham Forest – Premier League, 27/12/2022
Forest may have welcomed the World Cup break stuck in the Premier League drop zone, but Steve Cooper’s men are no strangers to upsetting the odds, as evidenced by their 1-0 home win over Liverpool in October.
But with the top-four race hitting up and Man Utd already lagging three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, there’s no room for error in this must-win contest.
Backing the Red Devils to register a clear-cut victory against the division’s second-worst-performing defensive side seems like a good bet, especially as ten Hag has a point to prove after hastening Ronaldo’s exit.
If you’re looking for an omen, the last time United faced Forest in the Premier League back in 1999, Sir Alex Ferguson’s team thrashed the Tricky Trees 8-1 at the City Ground.
Man Utd 4-1 Nottingham Forest
Wolverhampton Wanderers – Premier League, 31/12/2022
Man Utd’s Premier League action in 2022 rounds off at Molineux Stadium against top-flight basement boys Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 31.
Having recorded a measly win ratio of 13% across the opening 15 Premier League matchdays (W2, D4, L9), Wolves severed ties with underperforming boss Bruno Lage on the cusp of the international break.
Former Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui took over the managerial reins in November but will make his touchline debut in England’s elite competition this month after obtaining the work permit.
Tasked with hauling back a four-point deficit on safety, Lopetegui will hope to hit the ground running from day one, but Man Utd should have the upper hand in the West Midlands.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-1 Manchester United
