What are the odds this is Fergie and Rooney's last season at United? Derek McGovern's Bets of the Day

By Derek McGovern in Betting Blog

Published 22:00 05/01/12

• 

Losing 3-0 at Newcastle was Manchester United’s worst performance since last year and raised three very serious questions.

First, will Wayne Rooney still be at Old Trafford next season? Second, will Sir Alex Ferguson? Third, and more importantly, will referee Howard Webb?

Fergie has long warned about the dangers of a panic buy in January – clearly no-one had warned him about the Toon’s Yohan Cabaye in January.

But he may have to change his strategy after back-to-back defeats, despite describing New Year signings as ‘sticky plaster’ solutions.

With the Africa Cup Of Nations on the horizon, Fergie has pleaded with Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Carrick and Javier Hernandez to take out Senegalese citizenship.

Hernandez is proving a one-season wonder, Berba a three-season blunder, but it’s Rooney who is giving Fergie such a headache you suspect that they were BOTH out on the p*** on Boxing Day.

Rooney described his drinking session as ‘hair of the dog’. He uses the same excuse for his hair.

How Fergie found out about Rooney’s boozy session is anybody’s guess – I go 1-3 Patrice Evra grassed on him – but it seems to have driven a wedge between them.

Hills offer just 5-2 that Fergie is no longer in charge come the first day of next season, and 10-3 that Rooney has changed clubs by then.

Webb, who turned down a stonewall Newcastle penalty, has nonetheless drifted from 2-5 to 8-11 favourite to get the United Player of the Season award.

He was pipped last season by Steve Bruce.

***

Bookies are paying out on both Everton keeper Tim Howard AND Bolton striker David Ngog as first scorer at Goodison on Wednesday.

Watch video of Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard scoring against Bolton

Tim Howard and the Top 10 amazing goals scored by keepers  

One bookie said it was because no punters in their right minds would have backed Howard. Another said it was because no punters in their right minds would have backed Ngog.

I think I’m right in saying Howard is now Everton’s joint-highest scorer this season, although I’ll have to check they have another one.

Scoring a goal from your own penalty area takes some doing, although Phil Jones is brilliant at it.

Hills quote 8-1 for another Premier League goalie to hit the target this season. I don’t think I’ve seen such a laughable price where keepers are concerned since Fergie paid £20million for David De Gea.

On Friday night, Liverpool are 1-8 to beat Oldham in the FA Cup but tread warily.

The latest conspiracy theory says Liverpool are hell-bent on a replay that would mean fewer league games missed by Luis Suarez.

You heard it here first. Well, maybe Patrice Evra did.

***

BET OF THE DAY

For a father, a home birth is preferable. That way you're not missing anything on telly.

Take evens with Victor Chandler for fewer than four goals in Friday night's Liverpool v Oldham FA Cup clash.

***

Londoners have been hit by rising Tube costs, especially those Londoners who use the Tube.

If the last time I used the Tube is any guide, that’s all of them.

Former Mayor Ken Livingstone has launched a campaign against fare increases, one that has been immediately supported by TOFDA, the official fare dodgers’ association.

Under Boris Johnson there have been four years of above-inflation hikes in bus, Tube and train fares.

No wonder he’s always pratting about on a bike.

I have decided never to travel on the Tube again.

Last time I did I saw a sign that read: “Dogs must be carried on the escalator.” Could I find a dog?

Whenever tourists ask me where the nearest Tube station is I refuse to tell them. It’s beneath me.

It’s outdated and dirty, but Johnson won’t ban it in case it goes underground.

Ladbrokes quote just 1-2 that Tube fares cost more on January 4 next year than today.

A lot for a little – how appropriate.

Fancy winning £3,000 for FREE this month? Play Mirror Football Streak for your chance to win cash prizes! Start predicting now!