13 pundits predict where Man United will finish this season from second to seventh

Pundits disagree wildly when it comes to where they think Manchester United will finish in the 2026/27 Premier League season

After a third-place finish last season, Manchester United face a real test of their abilities in the upcoming season.

Michael Carrick has been installed as permanent manager after impressing during an interim spell but now has the added distraction of Champions League football. United have begun a midfield rebuild, signing Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, while Carlos Baleba could yet follow.

However, they have also lost Casemiro, one of their bigger characters last term. The last five seasons have brought just two top-four finishes and a Premier League low of 15th in the 2024/25 campaign.

They spent £200million on a new front line last summer, though, and those players could benefit from a year of bedding in. A number of pundits have made their predictions for the upcoming season and they vary wildly when it comes to their expectations for United.

Paul Merson - 6th

"I just worry about Manchester United with Europe," Merson wrote for Sky Sports, describing their squad as "wafer-thin." He added: "If Bruno Fernandes got injured, then you'd really worry. And yes, they have Youri Tielemans in there but I don't see a dominant midfield."

The former Arsenal and England star also queried the Santos signing, saying: "I might be wrong and Manchester United see something different. But a lot of Chelsea fans were asking what he does. He doesn't break it up, doesn't create chances, doesn't score goals. That's my problem.

"I like the Tielemans signing, he's a good footballer. But while you have Tielemans and Fernandes as good footballers, you need more than that to get the ball back. United still have that same defence that can be leaky at times, while the attack is hot and cold."

Wayne Rooney - 4th

England international and World Cup pundit Rooney was part of United's most recent title-winning squad but doesn't think the current squad is deep enough for another title tilt. "I would take top four. I think maybe fourth, I still think need to get two of three more players in," he said on Stick to United.

"You’re looking at Arsenal and Man City – Chelsea will be a lot better this season, Tottenham will be better. You’ve got Liverpool in there as well. So it’s going to be tough.

"Arsenal have the potential to run away with it but behind them we could see a lot of changes. I think Man United will finish fourth.

"Michael Carrick did fantastic to get Man United back into the Champions League. So not the club have to stay there. I think it’s unrealistic to think they’re going to win the Premier League this year, I don’t think they will."

Michael Owen - 4th or 5th

A one-time team-mate of Rooney at Old Trafford, Owen has tipped his old employers to fall out of the top four this term. He believes Arsenal are nailed-on champions but suggested it's all to play for below the Gunners.

"They only have to stand still and they win," Owen said on The Good, The Bad & The Football. "I can't see anybody jumping out the pack [and[ getting more than 85 points."

He hemmed and hawed over whether to keep United as his fourth-place pick or put Tottenham above them. "I think [Tottenham] could have a brilliant year. I think their manager is brilliant and for the very same reasons they've bought so well," he added.

"I'm just going to go steady and say, you know, Liverpool and Manchester United for for third and fourth but part of me is wanting to say Tottenham," he added. When settling on positions later in the broadcast, he had bumped United down to fifth.

Jamie Carragher - Not title contenders

Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, Carragher ruled out a title tilt for last season's third-place finishers. Part of that, he said, comes down to the manager.

“I personally just don’t think Michael Carrick’s got that stardust as a manager to win a Champions League or a Premier League," the former Liverpool star said. “I don’t believe Michael Carrick will win the league or the Champions League with Manchester United, but he’s done a really good job.”

He also suggested he might feel differently about United had they won the race for Mateus Fernandes. “I was a little bit worried when I saw United linked with Fernandes because I thought that could be a good signing," he added.

“I just looked at him and his age and was surprised United didn’t go for Fernandes. They said it was too expensive but was it that expensive? I know £85m is a lot but you’re never going to get a really top midfielder now for £50m.”

Nicky Butt - 2nd

Nicky Butt, part of United's 1999 Treble-winning squad, backed his old employers to finish as runners-up behind Arsenal. However, when appearing on the same podcast as Owen, he admitted his heart might be winning out over his head.

"I'm only saying that because I think I think City will fall off from where they've been," Butt said. "It's impossible for them to be first or second or anywhere near close. So, and then obviously, my heart's in the Man United team.

"So, I'd say that because I really like Tielemans. I think the midfield looks good with the ball. I think without the ball, we need more physicality in midfield.

"I just think it'd be a time that they can go on. I don't think they get anywhere near winning it. I think Arsenal run away with it this year if I'm honest with you but I said that about Liverpool the year before."

Paul Scholes - 3rd

Scholes wasn't quite as bullish as his former colleague but still expects United to secure Champions League qualification. "I still think they've got a lot of work to do to I think they need to strengthen," he said.

"Possibly they could do better but I just don't think the centre halves are good enough to challenge for the league... I just think every time I saw United last year, probably the last two years, they get attacked through the middle of the pitch every single time because they don't have the physicality and and the legs in there really.

"And I don't see what's changed massively. I think they brought Santos to try and plug that gap a little bit but from what I've seen, he's not a he's not the most physical and robust."

Roy Keane - Not title contenders

Former United skipper Keane is another to play down his old club's title chances. On Stick to Football, he pointed to weaknesses in midfield and defence as the biggest obstacles.

"I think that’s a good way of putting it, a good midfield. But if you’re on about winning the league, I think it’s short," he said when discussing United potentially adding Carlos Baleba to their ranks.

"United’s big problems are still going to be defensively. That midfield and going forward, there is a big goal threat at United, they were very good last year with it, especially when Carrick took over they were a real goal threat.

"The issue is at the back, the full-backs and the two centre-halves are still a big issue. But on paper, they [the midfield] jump out as really good players. But is there a league-winning midfield there? Probably not. No, I don’t see it."

Ellen White - 3rd

BBC pundit and former England women's international White tipped United to repeat last season's third-place finish. However, she also fired a word of warning to Michael Carrick.

"Unlike last season, Carrick has got Champions League football to contend with," she said. "I like Youri Tielemans as a signing, but they need more in... and is Marcus Rashford staying?"

Matt Upson - Outside top four

Upson, who won the league with Arsenal as a player, was impressed by United's second half of last season. Despite that, he left them out of the top four in his BBC predictions, backing an Arsenal-Chelsea-Liverpool-Manchester City finish.

"In the time Carrick was there, from January onwards, United showed they are definitely top-four material, and they are the ones I found it hardest to leave out," the former England centre-back said.

Tim Sherwood - 4th or 5th

"I can't make my mind up out of two teams, whether they're going to sneak into it," former Tottenham boss Sherwood told Sky Sports. "I'll go Arsenal at the top and Liverpool will be in [the top four].

"I think Chelsea will be in it and then I can't make my mind up. United.... or Man City. I can't make my mind up out of these two.

"I think they'll all qualify for the Champions League but it would be a disaster if either of these teams finished out of the Champions League slots," he added. He then changed his mind at the last minute, though it wouldn't be a surprise if he flip-flops again before the first match of the season.

Adrian Durham - 7th

TalkSPORT presenter and pundit Durham has tipped United to come right back down to earth this term. Not only that but he has them finishing below Brighton and Leeds.

"I'm wondering what's going on there at United defensively for a start... I'm a massive Michael Carrick fan, but they had 40 games last season and you can easily say they underachieved," Durham said.

"So, how are they going to cope with more games and being expected to go deep in more competitions? They're not expected to go out early in the Champions League.

"I'm struggling to see them perform to the levels in the Premier League that they did last season. I think Leeds is a bit of a rogue one and Spurs are a rogue one, bare in mind where they finished last season."

Des Lynam - 4th

Former Match of the Day host Lynam told Radio Times he expects United to build on their strong end to last season. "Man United finished very well last season and I expect them to continue that form, providing they can hold onto Bruno Fernandes," Lynam said, while also tipping Patrick Dorgu to enjoy a breakout season.

He named them as part of the chasing pack behind Arsenal, who he tipped to win a second straight title. He backed Manchester City to run the Gunners close despite a change in the dugout, with Chelsea also in the top four.

Troy Deeney - 5th

Deeney was another to give his verdict as the BBC asked pundits for their predictions. The former Watford striker has them outside the top four and he too pointed to the European distractions.

"I've got United down as fifth. A solid year, but nothing special," Deeney said. "I don't think they have got a great squad so they will be out of the Champions League by February and then they can concentrate on the league."

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