Rooney Revival

Manchester United may have rarely hit the heights this season but they keep strolling along getting the results they need when it matters most. Wayne Rooney has mostly had a season to forget but his spectacular overhead winner in the Manchester derby could be the catalyst for a goal rush. The England striker is a 38/1 shot with Victor Chandler to score in a 1-0 triumph over Marseilles.

Let’s not start worrying about the insipidness of Fergie’s reserve team against Crawley in the FA Cup. They got through and nothing else mattered. They played like a team who knew nothing else mattered but the mentality for the Champions League will be very different. United are masterful away from home in Europe with nine wins in their last ten outings. Success has predominantly been built on the proud defensive record of one goal conceded in the entirety of the group stages. At times Vidic and Ferdinand have looked impenetrable at the heart of defence, but even with the England captain injured, Chris Smalling is beginning to look the part.

Marseilles are a good side under Didier Deschamps and come into the tie on decent form with a record of 12 unbeaten at home. But United will be boosted by the French team’s misfortune at the weekend when all three key attacking players Brandao, Remy and Gignac hobbled off in the league win over Saint-Etienne. Gignac has recently scored five goals in as many games and is almost certainly out while the other two face a race to be fit.

Alex Ferguson’s probable tactical formation makes a Wayne Rooney goal in a low scoring win seem even more likely. The 4-5-1 system saw Berbatov dropped to the bench in the recent win over Man City and Rooney’s mobility, as well as his recent wonder goal, make him a likely option in that set-up again.

The 1-0 win for United is available at 6/1 with Totesport but the combo bet with Rooney to score is what we’ll stick with as VictorChandler make the England striker 11/2 to open the scoring and 38/1 with the 1-0.