Marcus Rashford can open his goal scoring account against Wolves (Picture: Getty Images)
Wolves look more like sacrificial lambs to the slaughter as the curtain raises on the newPremier League season at Old Trafford.
The Black Country club survived the relegation dogfight last season by showing their teeth and clawing their way to safety, finishing in 13th place and comfortably above the bottom three by picking up maximum points against West Ham, Liverpool, Southampton, Tottenham, Chelsea, Brentford and Aston Villa after the turn of the year.
There was hope that a busy summer spent wisely recruiting in the transfer window would generate a drive towards the top half this time around but instead Molinuex is shrouded in doom and gloom.
Julen Lopetegui has been replaced in the scalding managerial hot-seat by Gary O’Neil, who has been tasked with replicating the miracle he achieved when keeping Bournemouth in the top-flight before being ruthlessly sacked by the thankless Cherries.
But he inherits a team stripped of prized assets like Ruben Neves, Raul Jimenez, Conor Coady and Nathan Collins who have all left.
Returning Ireland right-back Matt Doherty and goalkeeper Tom King are the only new arrivals as free agents – although Matheus Cunha has completed his £44million move from Atletico Madrid after spending last season on loan with Wolves – and it’s nowhere near enough.
Facing a United side expected to be even stronger than the one which finished third last term is one of the worst possible starts for O’Neil and the flip side of the coin is that Erik ten Hag has the perfect opportunity to begin the campaign with an emphatic victory.
The hosts will use the match to showcase exciting new talent with midfielder Mason Mount and goalkeeper Andre Onana making their debuts while Rasmus Hojlund will be watching from the stands in keen anticipation as he recovers from a minor injury.
Alejandro Garnacho can score against Wolves (Picture: Getty Images)
All eyes will be on Marcus Rashford to dazzle after scoring 17 goals in the top flight as he returned to top form after the World Cup and the England international is 17/5 with SpreadEx to open the scoring and evens with bet365 to be find the net at any time.
Watch out too for Argentinian attacker Alejandro Garnacho. He recently signed a five-year contract extension and is 5/2 with bet365 to celebrate with a goal.
Wolves may huff and they may puff but they aren’t going to blow any doors down and the same firm have chalked up 8/1 for a 3-0 home win.
• England are as big as 14/1 with BoyleSports to win the looming Rugby World Cup in France after their scrappy 19-17 win over Wales at Twickenham. The tournament hosts are the much better option at Betway’s 3/1 despite needing a late penalty to beat Scotland 30-27 in a thriller in Paris.
• As preparations for the US Open gather pace on the American hard court circuit, Elina Svitolina is 6/5 with Bet Victor to beat Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets in Cincinnati.
Ten Hag’s team can show they mean business