Punters back Pogba to fire Man United to Europa League glory
THE recent tragedy in Manchester has rather shifted the city’s focus from the upcoming Europa League final.
But the show must go on, as they say, and Man United must find a way to pull their heads together for Thursday’s clash with Ajax.
According to online bookmaker Sportsbet.com.au, punters are backing one man in particular to stand tall for the Red Devils.
Money is flooding in for Paul Pogba to strike the first blow in Stockholm.
While the Frenchman sits midfield in the first goalscorer market at +1100, he is far and away the best backed United player.
Marcus Rashford is the +450 favourite with the bookies, while Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan share the second line with Ajax gun Kasper Dolberg at +600.
Overall, the betting community has shown plenty of confidence in Jose Mourinho’s men to get the job done.
Sportsbet has taken more than three times as much money on United, who are paying -256.41 to lift the trophy and -111.11 to win it in regulation time.
Ajax are out at +198 and +330 in those respective markets, while a full-time draw is paying +240.
Punters are tipping a tight contest, however, with a 2-1 result to the Devils at +750 the most popular correct score bet.
United finished sixth in the English Premier League and missed out on automatic qualification to the Champions League, so victory in Sweden is the only way they can book a place in Europe’s top club competition next season.
“Jose Mourinho risked it all in the EPL in order to win the Europa League and our punters are confident that gamble is going to pay off,” said Sportsbet’s Will Byrne.
While Man United have won the European Cup on three occasions, they are yet to taste success in UEFA’s second-tier competition.
Man United vs. Ajax betting markets
All odds provided by Sportsbet.com.au
To lift the trophy
-256.41 – Manchester United
+198 – Ajax
Win-draw-win
+240 – Draw
+330 – Ajax
Correct score
+500 – Draw 1-1, Manchester United 1-0
+700 – Draw 0-0
+750 – Manchester United 2-1
+1000 – Ajax 1-0
+1300 – Ajax 2-1, Manchester United 3-0
+1400 – Manchester United 3-0
First goalscorer
+450 – Marcus Rashford
+600 – Kasper Dolberg, Anthony Martial, Henrikh Mkhitaryan
+700 – Wayne Rooney
+900 – Mateo Cassierra, Davy Klaassen, Jesse Lingard, Bertrand Traore, Hakim Ziyech
+1000 – David Neres, Juan Mata
+1100 – Paul Pogba
+1200 – Marouane Fellaini
+1400 – Lasse Schone, Amin Younes
+1600 – Vaclav Cerny, Justin Kluivert
+2000 – Abdelhak Nouri
+2500 – Frenkie de Jong, Davinson Sanchez, Chris Smalling, Donny van de Beek
