Premier League - Manchester United season odds and betting preview

With the Premier League season soon to get under way, we take a look at Manchester United's prospects for the season, as well as looking at their transfers and targets.

After reclaiming the Premiership title from Chelsea last season, United have now won the league in four of the last five seasons, and are generally available at 7/4 to win again this season. They also made the Champions League final last year, where they were outplayed by Barcelona, eventually losing 3-1. They got some small revenge for that when beating the Spanish giants 2-1 in their last preseason friendly, and are now 9/1 on Betfair to win the Champions League this season.

So far this summer, United have been active in the transfer market, bringing in goalkeeper David de Gea as a replacement for the retired Edwin van der Sar, as well as Blackburn defender Phil Jones for a reported £16million. Aston Villa winger Ashley Young was the latest player to join the reds, and their attacking force looks as potent as ever. However, his arrival could mean that Ryan Giggs will make fewer appearances this season. As well as Young and Giggs, they also have Nani, Luis Antonio Valencia, Park Ji-Sung and Gabriel Obertan, and they will likely be rotated throughout the season.

One area which United seem to be keen on strengthening is the centre of midfield, where they are probably looking for a long term replacement for Paul Scholes, who retired last season after playing for the Reds for 17 years. Their main transfer target seems to be Inter Milan's dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder, who is 1/2 with Skybet to end up with United after the transfer window. The fee would likely be in the region of £35million, but the playmaker's demands may be out of line with United's wage structure.

United have no long term injuries, but striker Javier Hernandez, who scored 13 league goals last season, suffered a concussion in a training session last week. He is likely to miss United's Community Shield game against arch rivals Man City this weekend, but should be back in action soon. Valencia picked up an injury at the Copa America last month, but was sent home to recover, and should make a full return in time for the start of the Premiership season. Valencia signed a new four year contract today, which will keep him at the club until 2015.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side are 1/16 with Bet365 to finish in the top four this season, in what could be the most competitive yet in the Premier League. The Reds are also a best priced 5000/1 to be relegated this season.

Currently, the top goalscorer market for the Premiership is topped by Javier Hernandez, who is priced at 17/2 to win the Golden Boot this season. Next in the betting is Wayne Rooney, who is a 9/1 shot with William Hill. The United duo's biggest threats are Robin van Persie and Fernando Torres, who are both priced at 10/1.

United's next match is a friendly against the New York Cosmos on Friday, before they play the Community Shield against Man City on Sunday.