Manchester United vs Celtic

Surprisingly, Manchester United and Celtic will be locking horns for the first time in a European competition when meeting in their Champions League tie at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening, and it's a game bound to be played at a good pace. Ominously for the Scottish side, though, gone are the days when they and their Glasgow neighbours Rangers were deemed to be on a par with the cream of England's top-flight teams - the gulf in class has widened year on year. Tommy Burns' troops are likely to be up for this match in a major way and will give it a good go, that's for sure. But, in my opinion, the aforementioned gulf in class will be reflected in the eventual scoreline with United winning comfortably. Whatever Sir Alex was feeding his men in the run up to start of the new season it's worked a treat. Indeed, the Red Devils have started their Premiership campaign in the manner of a side with a real point to prove. And, it has to be said, no side has impressed more than them since the opening day of the season. United have been without 'boy wonder', Wayne Rooney, in their last three matches due to the 20-year-old incurring a three-match ban on the opening day of the season, but he is know back in the mix and available selection. One suspects that he will have steam to let off, and the Bhoys will feel the brunt of it. Man Utd were poor in the Champions League last season - they failed to score in two of their three home games in the group stages, which cost them dearly. However, while there is always a chance that they will not translate their Premiership form to this sphere, I am confident that they will be able to carry their momentum into this competition. One of the features of the Malcom Glazer-owned club's bright start has been the spring-heeled approach with which Ryan Giggs has been playing. The Welshman, who will be 33 in November, doesn't appear to be short of any of the agility, pace and sharpness that he has become synonymous with, despite his advancing years, and he'll be fancying his chance in front of goal having hit the back of the net in United's last two matches. Like Rooney, Paul Scholes is back in the fold after serving a three-game ban, and another evergreen Man Utd veteran, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, will be on hand to add attacking impetus to the forward line. Sir Alex will probably start with Rooney and Frenchman Louis Saha up front, and the latter has looked in rude health of late, shaping as though none the worse for the niggling injury problems which have blighted his career at the Theatre Of Dreams up until now. Celtic's Stephen McManus, Gary Caldwell and Lee Naylor are all injury doubts, but key players such as midfielder Gravesen, and strikers Vennegoor of Hesselink and Zurawski, are firing on all cylinders. But the defection of Stilian Petrov, who has joined Aston Villa, has weakened them significantly in the centre of the park. Much of the attacking flair and penetration from midfield went with the Bulgarian international. It would probably be unwise to expect too resounding a scoreline. it's hard to back this theory up with stats, but I can envisage the home side winning 2-0. Reason being, I doubt very much that United will put their foot to the floor in this encounter - they'll essentially be aiming to get the job done without kicking into overdrive - and if they can get a two-goal cushion I imagine they will defend deep to preserve the advantage. With such a solid defence, they should be able to keep the Bhoys' strikers at bay. Another betting opportunity which simply must be seized is the 4/1 on offer with Blue Square about Wayne Rooney scoring first. 'Roon' will be all fired up after not only having to sit out United's last three matches, but also having to be a mere spectator in England's recent matches, also owing to a ban. I reckon he'll take this game by the scruff of the neck and no player will be more determined to score in this match. Verdict:1pt Man Utd to win 2-0 in the correct score market @ 11/2 (Betfred)1pt Wayne Rooney in the first goalscorer market @ 4/1 (Blue Square)