Right Said Fred: Talking Betting With BetFred Boss Fred Done

Can United challenge for the title this season? That’s the question on everyone’s lips after the Reds hammered old rivals Leeds 6-2 last weekend in their first Premier League meeting for 16 years.

We’re now unbeaten in seven league games – of which we’ve won six and drawn one – and are up to third in the table, just one point behind Leicester and five behind Liverpool with a game in hand.

There’s no doubt the signs are promising, and it’s an exciting time to be a Red, but I absolutely agree with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in that we need to take it game-by-game for now, get through this hectic Christmas period and then reassess before we get carried away with title talk.

We have a mouth-water against Leicester next, at the King Power Stadium on Boxing Day, before back-to-back home ties against Wolves and Villa – and then it’s Liverpool at Anfield.

That’s the big one, and if we can get to that game on January 17 within touching distance of our great rivals then maybe, just maybe, we can start thinking about the title.

If you think you’ve already seen enough, however, Betfred have United 10/1 for Premier League glory – and they’ll surely be shorter than that if they triumph against Leicester on Saturday.

As for that game, United are 11/8 favourites with us, while Leicester are 19/10.

Hopefully Scott McTominay, who was the best player on the pitch in the Roses Derby last weekend and not just because of his unlikely brace, can put in another MOTM performance.

The 24-year-old is 16/1 at Betfred to score first on Boxing Day – while Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Bruno Fernandes are all 5/1.

Also on Saturday, City host Newcastle at the Etihad as they look to climb back up the table after it’s fair to say a rocky start to the season.

The Blues are 1/8 to take all three points, with Sergio Aguero, who is returning from a spell on the sidelines, 11/4 favourite to open the scoring.

Gabriel Jesus is 10/3, with Raheem Sterling 7/2 – while Kevin De Bruyne, who hasn’t looked his brilliant best this season but is always capable of getting on the scoresheet, is 4/1.

 Meanwhile, my congratulations go out to 57-year-old Richard Purcell, from Widnes, who won £10,000 on our popular Goals Galore No Draw coupon… on his wedding day!

After marrying his beloved Victoria at Runcorn Registry office five hours earlier, Richard found out about his big win at their socially-distanced reception in the Wellington public house close to where they live at Chestnut Lodge.

He said: “It’s fair to say I was otherwise engaged getting married, so didn’t check my phone for the results until later when I saw a lovely sum of money in my account!

“Betfred offer this fixed-odds bet which is great fun and has provided a thrilling start to our married life. I’m sure we’ll put it to good use. As for a honeymoon, we’ve booked a nice hotel in Chester.”

It’s wonderful that one of our regular customers has been able to celebrate at the double – and it couldn’t have come at a better time, just before Christmas, as Richard starts his new life with Victoria.

I hope everyone enjoys all the wonderful sport that’s on show over the next few days, and despite everything that’s going on at the moment we can make the most of the festivities.

Merry Christmas to you all, and stay safe.