Wasn´t Wayne Rooney supposed to be missing the first few weeks of the Premier League season after contracting a nasty virus in Nigeria?
That´s certainly what the powers-that-be at Old Trafford had us believe. But lo-and-behold look who is in the starting line up for United´s opening fixture against Newcastle on Sunday.
Rooney is 10/3 to score the first goal of the game and as he will probably be leading the Old Trafford front line on his own there will be plenty of punters giving that bet very strong consideration.
Nani is suspended for the game and Cristiano Ronaldo is injured (although going by the Rooney diagnosis probably won´t be out for as long as is being forecast).
United won this corresponding fixture 6-0 last season when Newcastle were in disarray following Sam Allardyce´s sacking. In truth, the Toon Army don´t appear to be in much better shape since the return of Kevin Keegan.
But KK´s saving grace is that United have a habit of starting their Premiership campaigns slowly and with injury problems up front there is a chance that the Geordies can catch the Red Devils cold.
Toon hit man Michael Owen is up for grabs at 12/1 to nick the first goal but niggling injury doubts mean he may well miss out. That leaves exciting Obafemi Martins as their key striker and at 11/1 he could well give their travelling supporters some much needed early cheer.
