11 Aug 2026 14:23:41
I'd be interested to hear what everyone would feel is a realistic and respectable finish for United in the upcoming season?
I am more of a reader of this site than a contributor but I'm getting the sense that there are a lot of fans who are not happy with the ambitions of the club? It's not everyone and there are some level headed and realistic fans but I'm really interested to hear where people think we actually are.
I get that we have a range of ages in the fanbase and some of us, including myself, have seen great success at the club. I get it's hard to see the demise over the last few years and the impact of the glazers but putting that aside, the reality is we are a top 8 side at best for me.
I thought we did really well last year finishing where we did and if we get anywhere close to that this year I'd be ecstatic. I see top 6 and qualifying for the latter rounds of the champions league as a great success. My view at present is we need to go right back to basics and get a team who can get into the champions league spaces each year before we consider anything. I do think it's optimistic for the clubs hierarchy to sell a vision of winning the league before 2030, but if we can establish ourselves as top 5 year in year out by 2030 I think we will be doing very well. Add to that a few trophies here and there and consistent showings in the champions league, then would I be wanting titles and upset with the current or lack of purchases we are making.
The reason I am posting this is I'm seeing people whinge about us not buying top class names and reintroducing rashford into the squad. I think the bottom line is we ain't a draw anymore. I'm not saying it's right as well and want rid of the glazers but we also don't have an infinite amount of money. Right now we need to be tactical with our purchases and over the last two windows I've felt the recruitment has been very good not only with first team talent but the amount of youngsters coming in. Particularly Heaven who looks to be a massive money maker. Yes we need more and we are desperate for full backs in my opinion but I think this is a huge positive in the last 3 years with a clear vision of getting players to reach the first milestone of getting consistent top 5. Only then can we buy big name players to get titles.
As for rashford, I don't know why he is still here, but he is and he's much better in the squad than out of it. I feel it's going to take another 3 years to totally bleed the squad of the players we no longer want I. e shaw, Dalot, rashford etc due to the stupid contracts that were given. Unfortunately we need those contracts to end to get rid of them but in the meantime buy players to add value, on reasonable wages and who will either be big players for us in the future or great squad players as they get replaced by those big marquee signings.
11 Aug 2026 16:30:38
Anywhere from 3rd to 6th. I'd have us likelier to be 3rd, as we've added two really good starting XI level options, and our forwards will continue their build up of understanding. Our squad will be pushed more, so I don't see us doing much damage in the bigger cup competitions.
11 Aug 2026 16:39:22
I think City and Arsenal will dominate, but the other places are up for grabs. I don't see Spurs as high as others do. They have been dreadful for 2 years, and a lot of new players will take some settling in.
We shall see if Iraola can step up. I'm yet to be convinced.
My hopes are we finish at least 3rd, compete for a cup, and, just as importantly, play good football.
11 Aug 2026 17:40:15
Adam
Depends on whether we buy the three players needed. If we do, I think we can look upwards in third and see. If we stay as is, 5th or 6th.
11 Aug 2026 18:10:09
Anywhere between 5th and 2nd, but much depends on how our rivals play.
For example, we could play poor football, scrape a load of 1 goal wins, get a lot of luck and finish 2nd because everyone else is crap.
Or, we could play great, exciting, entertaining football, win several games by big margins, get a little unlucky from time to time and finish 5th because other teams were also very good, had a shade more luck than us, and we just lacked a little experience and quality in depth.
Which of those two scenarios is the better season, and which would you rather live through?
For most, the first one, playing poorly but finishing 2nd looks better in the history books, and could be argued was the better season. But has it really moved us forward as a team, or do we just slide back again the following season when the luck abandons us and everyone else improves?
While I'd argue the second scenario is better for us and would be a better season.
Sure, results-wise, it looks a step backwards, but if other teams have had better seasons than last time out and we got a little unlucky, those things are out of our hands. While the team improving in how they play, and, as fans, us being entertained and enjoying our club again, that for me is a big factor when measuring success. It also moves us further forward as a team, making subsequent seasons more likely to yield success.
The issue with judging whether a season has been a success or not is made very difficult due to context and variables that are often overlooked or beyond our control.
11 Aug 2026 18:14:00
If we finish similar to last year in the PL, 3rd or 4th, I think that would be acceptable.
The bigger issue for me is the Champions League. Our last few entries into the competition have been awful under Erik ten Hag (thanks Onana) and Ole (managed to beat PSG away and still not get out of the group, remember that Demba Ba goal in Turkey lol).
If we don't get out of the group stage this time, now that it's even easier to qualify, I think that's a sackable offence in my opinion.
11 Aug 2026 18:53:10
It seems we all think top six then, which to me is our level then. That would be back to back seasons with European football, which puts us on a path of stability. I think we need to remember that the past two seasons we finished in 8th and 15th, both outside the major European places, and, if not for a very lucky FA Cup, would have meant Conference League.
Shappy, I actually feel finishing 2nd playing none expansive football would be a lot better this year than trying to get the team to play good football. If we were lucky enough to finish second, that would be a 3rd and 2nd place finish in two years, showing consistency and improvement.
At this moment in time, we need to build stability. We've tried getting a style with Amorim and both the board and fans couldn't let it happen. Right now, let's get the winning mentality back and then worry about attracting the players to play good football. Everybody hated Arsenal last year, but I guarantee they will be a lot more dynamic next season with that title behind them.
One thing is for sure, though. There seems to be a lot of positivity, if you ask that question, that we are a top 5 team. We seem to be moving in the right direction, especially from an 8th and 15th finish.
11 Aug 2026 18:54:59
We can win it, and we should be looking to win it.
11 Aug 2026 19:15:49
Banjoe
We should, but money in the bank, later for dividends, doesn't win leagues.
11 Aug 2026 19:55:14
That's probably true Redman, but I'm a hopeless dreamer. ?
11 Aug 2026 21:02:38
We have spent nearly 2 billion in 10 years without winning a league, and Chelsea are the highest.
Money does not equal league titles.
11 Aug 2026 21:05:55
You know my answer!!
Champions.
12 Aug 2026 00:29:26
The only respectable finish for United this season is 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. Anything less is going backwards. It's what I've been banging on about for the past few weeks. If the goal is to win titles, you need to improve every season.
With the current squad, I think we'll struggle to maintain 3rd, let alone push Arsenal and City.