Cristiano Ronaldo is a huge asset at United – and I’m sure that’s the way new boss Erik ten Hag sees it.
The Dutchman needs to put an arm around the shoulders of our top scorer this season and tap into his knowledge of the Premier League and world game.
Ronaldo, with 18 goals and hopefully more to come at Crystal Palace on Sunday when so many Reds will be playing for their futures, has achieved so much in a dire team that’s so lucky to even be 6th in the table.
United are 25/1 at Betfred to win the title under Ten Hag next season, but I’m reckoning it will be City leading a one-horse race!
Liverpool’s Mo Salah is on 22 goals for the season and is our 1/2 favourite for the Golden Boot, although he is being pressed hard by Son Heung-Min who is on 21 – and remember, Tottenham’s final game of the season on Sunday is at already-relegated Norwich.
With Ronaldo my pick for Player of the Season at Old Trafford, my top Blue has got to be Kevin De Bruyne who is in such excellent form at the business end of the season.
It will be ominous for the rest of us when he links up with Erling Haaland – the missing piece of the jigsaw at the Etihad who will surely help deliver the Holy Grail, the Champions League, for Pep Guardiola next season.
Meanwhile, my congratulations to Stockport County on their return to the big time as National League champions.
They are already amongst the favourites at 7/1 to do it again and win promotion to League One this time next year.
Owner Mark Stott is a Stockport-born entrepreneur who has invested heavily in his hometown club and deserves great credit, as do the players and management staff of course.
I’ve always had a soft spot for County since George Best played three games for them in 1975!
Finally, in the Betfred Super League tomorrow night we have Warrington hosting league leaders Saints – and if it goes by the form book it should be a straightforward away win.
Betfred TV pundit and a legend at both clubs Paul Sculthorpe – the Oldham-born double Man of Steel – is predicting a win by 18 points or more, which is EVS at Betfred.
Sculthorpe has been scathing about the performance of some Wire players who he blames for the club languishing in the bottom half of the table.
Wolves are 2/1 to cause an upset and pick up both points at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, with Matty Ashton 11/1 to score the first try – while Saints are 2/5 to triumph, with in-form winger Tommy Makinson 8/1 to cross the line first.
