Betting: 2012/13 season

long-term absences provides much-needed depth in midfield and skipper Nemanja Vidic is also fit again for the first time since December. If van Persie can dovetail effectively with Rooney, that 2/1 quote could disappear from view quicker than City’s trophy cabinet would if it was placed behind its Old Trafford counterpart.

PLAYER BETTING
The capture of van Persie has got Sir Alex talking about the famous Treble-winning striking quartet of Teddy Sheringham, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke. The latter two managed an amazing 53 goals between them in all competitions during that extraordinary 1998/99 season – can Rooney and van Persie surpass their total?

UNITED v CITY SPECIALS
As ever, Sir Alex will demand that United strive to win all four trophies on offer this season, but it is impossible to ignore what promises to be the main theme of 2012/13 – whether the Reds can get the upper hand over City in all competitions. The 7/1 price on a league derby double could find some support, while United’s superior European pedigree makes the Reds a very tempting proposition at