If youre feeling optimistic Manchester United may get a draw at Valencia in the Champions League

Valencia v Manchester United, Champions League, September 29, 2010

Valencia 2.76; Draw 3.14; Manchester United 2.53

Lets begin with some spin.

For anyone who thinks that second-place Manchester United are struggling, consider that the Red Devils are fifteen games unbeaten in all competitions in a run that stretches back to April 3, 2010. Neither Chelsea nor Arsenal can match such a record at present, and that should give food for thought for those Old Trafford critics.

Further, while many will want to focus on Wayne Rooneys recent troubles, Manchester United are showing little difficulty in finding the back of the net this season. In this regard Luis Nani, who scored a solo stunner against Bolton last weekend, should be applauded for his efforts this season. Relying on bare statistics, in his six last outings Nani has created six goals and scored twice.

Not only is Nani in-form, so is Dimitar Berbatov. Often criticised for his lazy, languid style of play, the Bulgarian has been a Uniteds most potent forward so far this season. His work rate appears up, his contribution to the cause is up, and his overall threat to opposing teams is up.

The Bulgarian striker and his Portuguese wide-man have begun to prove themselves as impact players this year. Again the statistics back this up with Nani and Berbatov collectively scoring or assisting twelve of Manchester Uniteds sixteen goals this season.

And then there are the support players, of whom Michael Owen has been the shining light in the last week. Little Mickey had barely touched a football this year before the Carling Cup game at Scunthorphe last Wednesday with the tabloid press linking him to Aston Villa in an effort to try and kick-start his career for the umpteenth time. But in just two matches Owen has again proven that people should write him off at! their p eril as he notched three goals in two games including the crucial points-saver at the Reebok.

Its a good job though that the likes of Nani, Berbatov and Owen have shined in recent weeks, because on the flipside its impossible to ignore the difficulties facing United also.

Top of the tree is Wayne Rooney. After a poor World Cup and disastrous marriage-threatening headlines of liaisons with a hooker, Rooney is not currently the same player who was tearing up opposition this time last year. Undoubtedly Rooney still retains his class. Nobody turns from a world beater to a failure overnight. Nevertheless it would be sticking ones head in the sand to ignore the fact that suddenly balls are bouncing off his shins, defenders are catching Uniteds number 10 in possession far too often, while his passes are suddenly straying in all directions and with a distinctive lack of precision. One goal so far this campaign is also a poor return.

Rooney though is far from Uniteds only problem. At the back there has been a noticeably lack of Unitedness with it comes to the defensive side of the game. Conceding twice at Fulham (including an injury time equaliser), conceding three times at Everton (including two injury time equalisers) and then again conceding twice at Bolton last weekend, are all alarming events. The fact that Manchester United have let in nine goals this season, while bottom of the table Everton have let in just seven, is remarkable. Slack errors, like Patrice Evra drifting away from his post against Bolton to allow Zat Knight the opener, have plagued Uniteds season to-date. Thats a worrying trend.

Also worrying is the fitness situation at Carrington. We already know that Ryan Giggs will play no part in Valencia having picked up a hamstring injury against the Trotters. Rooney is also doubtful with a ankle knock (although he should play), while Rio Ferdinand remains Mr Glass. With Antonio Valencia and Owen Hargreaves long term absentees, and Michael Carrick and Anderson still a while awa! y from r eturning to the first team, the heavy pressure on the likes of Darren Fletcher, Jonny Evans and John OShea to perform week in, week out is almost suffocating.

And then we turn to the matter at hand a difficult Champions League trip to Valencia following a miserable goalless encounter with Glasgow Rangers in matchday one. Having already dropped two points at home Uniteds start to the Champions League is floundering from the get-go, and a trip to the Mestalla is one ground that few teams manage to walk away with all three points from.

Moreover, something a little mad is happening this year to Los Che. Flat-broke and having been forced to sell star assets David Villa and David Silva last summer, Valencia were suppose to struggle this year. Not only did those two Spanish starlets walk out the club, but so did Carlos Marchena and Raul Albiol. And Nikola Zigic. And Ruben Baraja. And Alexis.

With the nucleus of last seasons squad no longer at the club, everyone predicted a downturn for Valencia this season. But, almost miraculously, the complete opposite has happened. The Valencianistas are soaring at the minute with four wins and one draw in their opening five La Liga games leaving them top of the table in Spain. They even tore Bursaspor to shreds in round one of the Champions League with an outstanding four-nil battering of the reigning Turkish champions.

Stripped to their bare essentials, what is evident is that Valencia still have a hardcore group of quality assets. Up-top Juan Mata and newly-acquired striker Roberto Soldado are looking as dangerous as any strike-force in Europe at present. Further back in midfield Ever Banega continues to impress after his outstanding season last year, while the likes of Pablo Hernandez and Joaquin remain hugely talented. David Albelda is a been-there-done-that presence in the centre of the park, and experience also fills up their goalmouth where 39-year-old keeper Cesar is in sparkling form.

Unbeaten at home in their last 16 games (including! 14 wins ), a wobbly Manchester United have a daunting task ahead of them on Wednesday night. Sir Alex Fergsuon team has a decent record against the Spaniard with one win and two draws in their last three encounters, but it would take a brave punter to back United to claim all three points this week.

Betting on a draw is probably about as optimistic as Manchester United fans can be.

101gg predicts: Valencia 1 Manchester United 1 (5.87)

Valencia 2.76; Draw 3.14; Manchester United 2.53

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