Jump To:The CoachKey PlayerLast Season's ResultsTop ScorerLessons From Last YearMost Likely To...Least Likely To...View From The StandsFixturesTitle OddsFFT VerdictCopy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterManchester United's third-place finish in 2025-26 was a surprise and a relief. Returning to the Champions League is important not just for financial reasons but for the fans, who can now attend more games than last season's paltry 40, many of them shifted to a Monday night for TV.The four major summer signings (Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Senne Lammens and Benjamin Sesko) all worked out, which is exceedingly rare. After good first seasons, can they have the great campaigns needed for Manchester United to challenge for the title?That may be too far, but United do at least need to finish in the Champions League places again while also showing up in Europe.Can Michael Carrick continue to make strides in seeing the Red Devils become title contenders again?More smart recruitment in 2026 would help, with money freed up by the exit of top earner Casemiro, although the Brazilian was also one of United's best players last season. Ruben Amorim's win rate was appalling and the Portuguese talked himself out of a job, but he did help to clean up the dressing room for Michael Carrick to inherit at his expense come January.United are now looking more like a team, with a healthy mix of emerging talents and experience. While not yet a vintage side, and no longer paying out top wages following years of profligacy, they beat all of their big domestic rivals in 2025-26. The mood is positive, optimism is increasing, but it can always turn quickly. You may like Manchester City have failed to win the title in back-to-back seasons, can Enzo Maresca succeed where Pep Guardiola was starting to falter? Manchester City 2026-27 season preview Fulham are a side edging closer to domestic success and European qualification, but can new boss Alvaro Arbeloa get them over the line? Fulham 2026-27 season preview Unai Emery's Europa League champions are the most likely non-Big 6 side to disturb the Premier League title race - Aston Villa 2026-27 season preview The CoachMichael Carrick exceeded expectations in taking United from seventh to third with a points-per-game record that was even higher than that of Arsenal. Calm, collected and controversy-free, he has a quiet intelligence about him, as well as very able assistants.Key PlayerBruno Fernandes was United's best player by a distance once again last term. The feted assist king also knits the dressing room together as club captain, while performing to the highest level. He turns 32 in September will he be around when and if United are great again?Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Last Season's ResultsPREMIER LEAGUE: 3rdFA CUP: Third RoundLEAGUE CUP: Second Round What to read next Bournemouth have waved goodbye to Andoni Iraola, but will they continue to build upon the fine work he laid down? - Bournemouth 2026-27 season preview Manchester United boss Michael Carrick breaks decades-old tradition Crystal Palace have raised their own standards with major trophy wins in back-to-back seasons, so how will the Eagles fare this time without the man who guided them there? Crystal Palace 2026-27 season preview Top ScorerBryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko each bagged 12 goals for Manchester United in all competitions last season.Lessons From Last YearTurn up for every game not just the big ones. United beat all of the top teams but were unable to win home or away against West Ham, and also drew with each of the other two relegated teams (while needing a stoppage-time penalty to beat Burnley at Old Trafford).Against top-half sides, United picked up the most points in the league more than they did against teams in the bottom half. While the Red Devils won nine of those 20 easier games, Arsenal won 18. That's the difference.Most Likely To...Sell out Old Trafford every single game. United still boast England's highest average attendances, despite not being in the title race since 2013. Around 15,000 fans allowed to apply for 3,000 away tickets every other week do so. It's not always easy supporting a big club. All right, put the violins away.Least Likely To...Stay the course in a title race. After playing only two cup games last term, throwing Europe into the mix threatens any league consistency.View From The StandsWords by: SCOTT PATTERSON @R_o_MLast season was all right before Ruben Amorim got sacked, then pretty great after he left, but we were playing catch-up by then.This season will be different because Michael Carrick understands the club, and has experience in his coaching staff.Our key player will be Bruno Fernandes, as always. It's strange that his importance to United had largely been ignored up to now, given he has created the most chances in Europe every season since we signed him.Look out for Shea Lacey. The teenager hit the bar late on in our draw with Burnley, then got sent off for petulance in the next game, which cost him his place in the squad for derby day. If not for that, we might have seen more of him last season.Fans think our owners are parasites. Between the Glazers funnelling money out of the club and Sir Jim Ratcliffe's political views, it's hard to imagine more unpopular owners.A social media account to follow is @NQATPod.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 fun again, after Amorim kept telling us we had to suffer! Having the league's best form for half a season was justification for giving him the job permanently. But he's still under pressure, as is every Manchester United manager.If he left, he should be replaced by Luis Enrique.We'll finish 3rd.FixturesAUGUST22 Hull City (A)29 Ipswich (H)SEPTEMBER5 Everton (A)12 Man City (H)19 Fulham (A)OCTOBER10 Tottenham (H)17 Leeds (A)24 Bournemouth (H)31 Chelsea (A)NOVEMBER7 Aston Villa (H)21 Liverpool (A)28 Brentford (H)DECEMBER2 Newcastle (A)5 Coventry (H)12 Crystal Palace (A)19 Arsenal (A)26 Nott'm Forest (H)30 Sunderland (H)JANUARY2 Brighton (A)6 Newcastle (H)16 Aston Villa (A)23 Liverpool (H)30 Brentford (A)FEBRUARY6 Chelsea (H)10 Brighton (H)20 Nott'm Forest (A)27 Arsenal (H)MARCH3 Sunderland (A)13 Everton (H)20 Man City (A)APRIL10 Hull City (H)17 Ipswich (A)24 Crystal Palace (H)MAY1 Coventry (A)8 Bournemouth (A)15 Leeds (H)23 Tottenham (A)30 Fulham (H)Title OddsManchester United to win the Premier League title odds: 13/2FFT VerdictFourFourTwo verdict: Manchester United to finish 4th.United should retain their regained Champions League status, even without Casemiro's eight headed league goals last term. Carrick has to ensure his brilliant start doesn't fade, as it did with Middlesbrough.This feature was written in June as part of FourFourTwo magazine's legendary Season Preview issue which can be ordered here.TOPICSPremier LeagueAndy MittenFreelance WriterAndy Mitten has interviewed the likes of Lionel Messi, Eric Cantona, Sir Alex Ferguson and Diego Maradona for FourFourTwo magazine. He also founded and is editor of United We Stand, the Manchester United fanzine, and contributes to a number of publications, including GQ, the BBC and The Athletic.
