21 Aug 2026 11:53:12
I'm seeing a lot of writers predicting us finishing 5th or 6th, with Chelsea, Liverpool, and even Spurs above us. I'm really not buying that.
Let's start with Spurs. They have had 2 terrible seasons, whilst they have a new Manager and are not in Europe, they also have a big turnover of players. I expect them to be much better but I really don't see them top 4.
Liverpool had a shocker last year, injuries and tragedy played a big part but they still look disjointed to me. It remains to be seen whether Iraola is the real deal and whether he can translate his talent to a major club.
Chelsea were also all over the place and again have a new Manager who should be competent. However, they have so many players, (they've already signed 10), unrest is likely and whilst they will improve, I believe they will continue to blow hot and cold.
I expect Arsenal to win the league comfortably. If Maresca settles quickly then City will likely finish 2nd; all other places are up for grabs.
We finished 3rd, but the form under Carrick was even better. We have more games this year but also more players; last year's signings should be more settled, and Santos and Tielemans already look like they have slotted straight in. Rashford is an interesting one; there is the potential for disruption, but the signs are he wants to get his head down, work hard and play. We shall see.
We need to get Baleba over the line and sign a top LB but I see no reason why we don't finish top 3 and potentially challenge City for 2nd.
21 Aug 2026 12:54:31
I honestly don't know why people see City as 2nd. They lost so many players, not just important players, but also squad rotation. On top of it all, they changed manager, so what is said about Liverpool and Chelsea could be said about City as well.
imo, I wouldn't be surprised if they finish 5th.
21 Aug 2026 14:36:22
I'd have to disagree. I see Chelsea and Spurs flying this season.
Chelsea have a good squad and fewer games to play.
And Spurs have a good manager and plenty of good players, and most of their signings have prem experience.
If Spurs manage to get Marmoush they'll do very well.
I reckon Liverpool will start slow, but get better through the season. If Isak stays fit they will be up there.
21 Aug 2026 15:12:47
Just had a look back at this time last year. No point asking anybody here for predictions.
Especially the German twit, he was more wrong than most.
How do you think you did with last year's predictions, Fallguy?
Mine were wrong, as I chose United to win every year.
Lots had Liverpool to win.
Very few had Arsenal to win, two, I think.
Nearly all had Chelsea in the top 4.
Most wrote Villa off.
Good few had City to win.
Nobody had the top 4 correct.
Paddy Power will be rubbing their hands with our experts.
Several had Spurs to finish above us and in the top 6.
3 very regular posters had us in the bottom half.
21 Aug 2026 15:21:58
It does feel very open this year, with lots of changes across many clubs. I really hope City do bomb, but I fear they are too robust, we shall see.
Ken nails it. A lot had Liverpool walking it last year with their signings, and they finished 5th.
I thought RA was out of his depth, but he did ship out most of the attitudes, and that has delivered a much happier, cohesive camp.
If we did walk away from Fernandes because we doubted his commitment, then I say bravo. Tielemans was delighted to join, we know Baleba is keen, it all helps build the right culture.
21 Aug 2026 15:34:19
The Liverpool performance last year is the only niggle I have when predicting what Spurs will do this season. Like Liverpool last year, Spurs appear to have signed good players, but nobody knows if they will perform as expected.
Arsenal should win it this year, but you never know. If they lost Rice and Gabriel, or Raya, for extended periods, they could find it more difficult.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Chelsea finish second.
For United, who knows. Could be anything. The first few games should give us a good idea. I don't buy into the notion that our first game at Hull will be that easy. They will sit deep, and recent history shows that United have struggled to break low blocks down.
21 Aug 2026 15:38:08
I think Arsenal are hot favourites, AJH, but after that it's very open indeed imo.
Anything could happen. Teams could excel under their new managers, or flop altogether, should be good to see it unfold.
Arsenal are favs, but I have a feeling they won't have it all their own way. It's not easy playing as champions.
I'm predicting a 4th different winner in a row.
So, a team outside of City, Arsenal and Liverpool.
21 Aug 2026 13:09:06
There's a lot of speculation going on, largely because there's so many new managers.
Spurs look like they'll be improved by their midfield transfers but on the other hand, as good as they might be, Neither Tonali and Fernandes were able to turn around weak teams.
Chelsea continually splash out. If Enzo can be as motivated for a whole season as he was in some of those World Cup games and Palmer gets back to his superb form of the season before last, then they could be a threat.
Neither having European football will be a big advantage as it was fore United last year.
Liverpool? I expect them to be the main contender for top 3 especially if Isak gets back to his best and Wirtz starts to justify his price tag. I don't think the Salah of last year will be missed. Iraola is clearly a good manager and I'm pretty sure most of us would have been feeling quietly confident if he'd come to United. There's that sense of deja vu of when Klopp went to Liverpool and we had appointed LVG the previous year. Many on here had advocated for Klopp, not that he would have succeeded in the United setup under Woodward the Wanker.
If we get Baleba across the line, and he gets back to his best, and strengthen the full backs then I do think we will have improved what was, under Carrick last season, already a highly competitive team. I don't see nay reason to write us off yet. If we can't win the league then top 4 will be good enough, especially if we also have a good Champiuons League run. I'd say a last 8 or better in the Champions League and 4th/5th in the league would be better than 2nd in the league and a dismal failure in the Champions League.
21 Aug 2026 16:13:32
My only concern is the defence. It is definitely our Achilles heel. Hopefully Martinez and Mdl can stay fit.
21 Aug 2026 16:23:31
Indeed mh, imo our full backs and our keeper have been our biggest defensive issue for the last few years.
I think keeper was sorted last year, but our full backs are not much better than useless.