Right Said Fred: Talking Betting With BetFred Boss Fred Done

I was a very proud Red watching young Shola Shoretire make his Manchester United debut at the weekend.

Shoretire, who has only just turned 17, became the 240^th academy graduate to play for United’s first-team when he was brought on late during Sunday’s 3-1 win over Newcastle United in the Premier League.

I’ve heard he’s been ripping up trees for our U23s, so it was fantastic to see him given the chance to train and play – albeit briefly – with the top dogs.

Hopefully he has a long, successful career at Old Trafford – as will hopefully be the case for 18-year-old Amad Diallo, our January signing from Atalanta, who was given five or so minutes in the first leg of our Europa League tie with Real Sociedad last week.

He also looks a proper talent. I would love to see both he and Shoretire get more minutes in Thursday's second leg, as that comfortable four-goal cushion we have means it’s a good chance to give our fringe players and youth a chance while resting our first-teamers ahead of a huge Premier League clash with Chelsea at the weekend.

United are 19/20 at Betfred to beat Sociedad tonight – and 12/5 to get three points at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

That’s the big one, as beating Chelsea would put us in a very good position to finish in the top four – and, in the unlikely scenario where City do drop some points, put pressure on our rivals at the top of the Premier League table.

City have a tricky-looking assignment against the high-flying West Ham just over 24 hours earlier at the Etihad – they’re 2/9 at Betfred to get another three points and move another step closer to regaining the Premier League title.

This is a potential banana skin for Pep Guardiola’s side, as West Ham are in great form lately, but it won’t mean much if United can’t capitalise with a win against Chelsea.

While that Newcastle game was frankly a little lacklustre, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men were brilliant in the Europa League in the week and look to be back in a bit of form, which comes at the perfect time.

If United are to launch an unlikely title bid in the last ten or so games of the season, the next couple of weeks are absolutely crucial.

The Manchester Derby on March 7 is fast approaching – by then I think we’ll either have a proper title race on our hands or the title will be all but won. 

Let’s hope it’s the former!