A packed Old Trafford can propel Manchester United to an opening-day three points against old rivals Leeds United.
The return of fans is a potential game-changer for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men, who dropped far too many points at home for comfort last season.
United are 13/25 with Grosvenor Sport to get their 2021/22 season off to the perfect start, unlike 12 months ago when they suffered a shock 3-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace, while the draw is 7/2 and a Leeds victory is priced up at 24/5 (prices subject to change).
While the Reds will be missing some star names, the starting eleven looks set to feature Bruno Fernandes who will get an almighty reception having become such a talisman for the side last term.
Fernandes didn’t feature as much as expected for Portugal at the Euros but that is surely a blessing given he started more games than any other player at United last term and was clearly on the wane in the latter stages of the campaign.
Fernandes needed a break arguably more than any other United player and a fresh Bruno Fernandes pulling the strings will be a godsend to Solskjaer, especially at Old Trafford, where United found it so tough to break teams down last term.
One exception to that trend were Leeds United, who played perfectly into United’s hands and were duly thumped 6-2. Given the way their manager Marcelo Bielsa goes about his work, it’s hard to see the visitors adopting any more of a pragmatic approach this time around so another high-scoring game could be on the cards.
Half of Fernandes’ goals for United (13/26) have come from the penalty kicks and his ruthlessness from the spot makes him an appealing bet to score at any time in the lunchtime kick-off, which is 13/10 with Grosvenor Sport.
TIP
Bruno Fernandes to score at any time - 13/10
Team Stats
Manchester United conceded 28 goals at Old Trafford in the Premier League last season, but only 16 on the road.
Leeds United away games averaged 3.53 goals in 2020/21, more than any other side in the Premier League.
Player Stats
Scott McTominay has only once score two goals in a league game for Manchester United and that brace came in this fixture last season. The Scottish international is 19/4 with Grosvenor Sport to score any time on Saturday and 13/1 to score the opening goal.
H2H
25 April 2021: Leeds United 0-0 Manchester United (League)
20 December 2021: Manchester United 6-2 Leeds United (League)
20 September 2011: Leeds United 0-3 Manchester (League Cup)
