Michael Carrick appeared set to steer Manchester United back towards the top last season, but the Red Devils have moved backwards too often for supporters to completely dismiss their doubts.
Manchester United finishing third in 2025-26 came as both a surprise and a relief. Getting back into the Champions League matters not only financially but also for the supporters, who can now watch more matches than last season’s meagre 40, with many of those having been moved to Monday night for television.
The four major summer arrivals - Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Senne Lammens and Benjamin Sesko - all proved successful, which is extremely uncommon. After strong debut campaigns, can they now produce the outstanding seasons required for Manchester United to mount a title challenge?
That may still be asking too much, but United at the very least must secure another finish in the Champions League spots while also making an impression in Europe.
Further intelligent recruitment in 2026 would be useful, especially with funds freed up by the departure of top earner Casemiro, even though the Brazilian was also one of United’s best performers last season. Ruben Amorim’s win percentage was dreadful and the Portuguese effectively talked himself out of the job, but he did help tidy up the dressing room for Michael Carrick, who took over in January at his predecessor’s expense.
United now look more like a proper team, with a balanced combination of emerging talent and experience. They are not yet a classic side, and after years of excess are no longer handing out elite wages, but they did beat all of their main domestic rivals in 2025-26. The atmosphere is upbeat, belief is growing, but that can change very quickly.
Michael Carrick outperformed expectations by lifting United from seventh to third, posting a points-per-game figure even better than Arsenal’s. Calm, measured and free of controversy, he brings a quiet sharpness, along with a highly capable backroom staff.
Bruno Fernandes was comfortably United’s standout player once again last season. The celebrated assist specialist also helps hold the dressing room together as club captain, while continuing to perform at the highest standard. He turns 32 in September - will he still be there if and when United become great again?
PREMIER LEAGUE: 3rd
FA CUP: Third Round
LEAGUE CUP: Second Round
Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko both scored 12 goals for Manchester United in all competitions last season.
Show up in every match - not only the glamour fixtures. United beat all of the top sides but failed to win either home or away against West Ham, and also drew with the other two relegated teams, while needing a stoppage-time penalty to beat Burnley at Old Trafford.
Against teams in the top half, United collected the most points in the league - more than they managed against clubs in the bottom half. The Red Devils won nine of those 20 more straightforward games, while Arsenal won 18. That is the difference.
Fill Old Trafford for every single game. United still record the highest average attendance in England despite not being in a title race since 2013. Around 15,000 fans apply for 3,000 away tickets every other week. Supporting a big club is not always easy. All right, enough of the violins.
Hold firm in a title race. After playing only two cup matches last term, adding Europe into the schedule threatens any consistency in the league.
Last season was decent before Ruben Amorim was sacked, then very good after he left, but by that stage we were already trying to make up ground.
This season will be different because Michael Carrick understands the club and has experienced people in his coaching staff.
Our key player will be Bruno Fernandes, as always. It is strange that his importance to United had largely been overlooked until now, considering he has created the most chances in Europe every season since we signed him.
Look out for Shea Lacey. The teenager struck the bar late in our draw with Burnley, then was sent off for petulance in the following game, which cost him his place in the squad for derby day. Without that, we might have seen much more of him last season.
Fans think our owners are parasites. With the Glazers taking money out of the club and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s political views, it is difficult to imagine less popular owners.
The opposition player who grinds my gears is Declan Rice and all of his performative nonsense.
The fans' opinion of the gaffer is very positive. Carrick made football enjoyable again after Amorim kept telling us we had to suffer. Having the best league form over half a season justified giving him the job on a permanent basis. But he is still under pressure, as every Manchester United manager is.
If he left, he should be replaced by Luis Enrique.
We’ll finish 3rd.
AUGUST
22 Hull City (A)
29 Ipswich (H)
SEPTEMBER
5 Everton (A)
12 Man City (H)
19 Fulham (A)
OCTOBER
10 Tottenham (H)
17 Leeds (A)
24 Bournemouth (H)
31 Chelsea (A)
NOVEMBER
7 Aston Villa (H)
21 Liverpool (A)
28 Brentford (H)
DECEMBER
2 Newcastle (A)
5 Coventry (H)
12 Crystal Palace (A)
19 Arsenal (A)
26 Nott'm Forest (H)
30 Sunderland (H)
JANUARY
2 Brighton (A)
6 Newcastle (H)
16 Aston Villa (A)
23 Liverpool (H)
30 Brentford (A)
FEBRUARY
6 Chelsea (H)
10 Brighton (H)
20 Nott'm Forest (A)
27 Arsenal (H)
MARCH
3 Sunderland (A)
13 Everton (H)
20 Man City (A)
APRIL
10 Hull City (H)
17 Ipswich (A)
24 Crystal Palace (H)
MAY
1 Coventry (A)
8 Bournemouth (A)
15 Leeds (H)
23 Tottenham (A)
30 Fulham (H)
Manchester United to win the Premier League title odds: 13/2
FourFourTwo verdict: Manchester United to finish 4th.
United should be able to hold on to their regained Champions League place, even without Casemiro’s eight headed league goals from last season. Carrick must make sure his brilliant start does not tail off, as it did at Middlesbrough.
This feature was written in June as part of FourFourTwo magazine’s legendary Season Preview issue.
