The injury crisis at Old Trafford plumbed new depths earlier this week, when Noussair Mazraoui withdrew from the Morocco squad.
That has improved the payout prospects for bettors who want to back less likely outcomes in the coming weeks, and here, we’ll explore how and why that is the case.
Mazraoui’s injury comes after two of Mazraoui’s fellow Manchester United teammates, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, dropped out of international duty for Argentina and England respectively.
Harry Maguire’s absence will also be felt, with the centre-back – who’s late equaliser vs Porto in the most recent UCL round perhaps saved Erik ten Hag’s job – picking up an injury in last Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.
With Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia being absent already, that can only open the door for people to explore some interesting odds involving the Red Devils. Here are some that may be of interest, along with market-average odds.
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Brentford to score over 1.5 goals – 2/1
Getting the obvious out of the way first, Manchester United’s poor defensive record at home is of huge concern even without injuries, with their weaknesses embodied most starkly by twin 3-0 losses to fellow ‘big-six’ luminaries Liverpool and Tottenham at Old Trafford.
Brentford might not be at the same level of those opponents, but a 5-3 demolition of Wolves in the last PL round only further underlines United’s vulnerability to another shock, at least on paper.
Brentford to score over 0.5 first-half goals – 11/8
The Bees’ penchant for quickfire starts is something that can only unsettle the United backline. United’s next visitors have managed a goal inside the opening two minutes of play in each of the last four PL rounds.
For those feeling more adventurous, the market-average odds for Brentford to score over 1.5 first-half goals (in other words, to score twice or more before half-time) are 7/1. Meanwhile, they are averaging 9/1 to be leading at the 10th minute mark.
Collins / Pinnock to score anytime – Odds pending
Including centre-backs Nathan Collins and Ethan Pinnock, there were five different Brentford goalscorers in their win over Wolves. Along with key presences missing from the set pieces that United will inevitably face, this provides some justification to back some less obvious Brentford players in the anytime scorer market.
Manchester United to win the Europa League – 6/1
Exploiting United’s injury crisis in the betting markets need not necessarily involve betting against the Red Devils. In light of draws against FC Twente and Porto to start their UEFA Europa League campaign, the Red Devils have seen their outright odds drift – although their status as second-favourites is unchanged.
Still, we can expect some drastic movement if they can beat Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce on their own turf after facing Brentford, so now would be a good time to back the Red Devils to lift their second-ever Europa League trophy.
In December 2020 we sadly 
