Sports betting fans noted a key signing made by Manchester United last week. The team agreed to terms with defender Nemanja Vidic on a long-term deal. Vidic is considered one of the top players on United and his impact on online sports betting odds does not go unnoticed by bettors.
Sports betting odds actually list Manchester United as the second choice to win the Premier League this season behind defending champion Chelsea. Getting Vidic signed definitely helps United’s chances. Manchester United chief executive David Gill said that the deal should be signed in early August. Vidic joined Manchester United in 2006 from Spartak Moscow and has been a fixture on defense ever since.
The new deal between United and Vidic is expected to run until 2014. Several other teams had reportedly been in the market for Vidic including Real Madrid but United did not want to lose their defensive stalwart. Vidic will now be one of the highest paid players on the team. Manager Alex Ferguson had said that getting Vidic signed was a top priority. The team simply could not afford to lose Vidic especially with Rio Ferdinand recovering from a knee injury. Vidic has been on holiday after the World Cup but he is expected to return soon and be ready for matches in August.
Manchester United focused on their defense in the off-season as they signed Chris Smalling from Fulham. He only made 11 appearances for Fulham last season but he has already played in United’s friendlies against Celtic and Philadelphia Union. Smalling should help United’s depth until Ferdinand is ready to come back.
Manchester United will get the spotlight this week in online sports betting as they face the MLS All-Stars in a friendly. The match on Thursday will attract a lot of attention in the United States and around the world. Manchester United begins the Premier League part of their season on August 15th as they host newly promoted Birmingham City. The key matches for United this season figure to be the ones against Chelsea. They first one will come on the road at Chelsea on November 7th with the return match on April 3rd at Old Trafford. The rivalry matches against Manchester City will be on September 19th at Old Trafford and on April 17th at Manchester Stadium.