Manchester United’s 2025-26 Season: A New Era Under Ruben Amorim
Manchester United faced a challenging season last year, finishing 15th in the Premier League without any trophies and missing out on European competition this season. With the arrival of manager Ruben Amorim, the club has made significant efforts to rebuild and reshape its squad. The question now is: what do experts predict for the Red Devils’ performance in the upcoming 2025-26 campaign?
Amorim has had a full pre-season to implement his vision, and the club has invested heavily in new signings to support his style of play. Pundits, writers, and analysts have shared their insights on how these changes might impact the team’s prospects.
Alan Shearer’s Perspective
Alan Shearer, a well-known football commentator, released his 1-20 league table prediction for Betfair. He predicted Liverpool to retain the title, with Arsenal as runners-up. He also highlighted that the newly promoted teams—Leeds, Sunderland, and Burnley—are likely to be relegated.
Although he didn’t specifically address Manchester United, Shearer commented on the transfer situation involving Benjamin Sesko. He noted that while United is a big club, it’s not currently performing at the level of a top-tier team. Despite this, he still believes Newcastle United will finish one place above United in fifth.
Joe Cole’s Doubts
Former player Joe Cole, who played for Chelsea and Liverpool, is less optimistic about United’s chances. In his 1-20 table for TNT Sports, he placed United in ninth position. He suggested that Liverpool would win the league, Arsenal could finish as low as fourth, and Wolves would be among the teams going down.
Cole expressed concerns about the signing of Cunha, questioning whether he is the right fit for the team. He mentioned that while Cunha is a talented player, there are concerns about his attitude. Cole warned that adding another "maverick" to the dressing room could be problematic, especially given the current dynamics within the squad.
Owen Hargreaves’ Prediction
Owen Hargreaves, a former Manchester United player and 2008 Champions League winner, gave his prediction for the league. He maintained the same top five as the previous season and expected the promoted teams to be relegated. However, he did believe that Tottenham would finish ahead of United in sixth place.
The Athletic’s Viewpoint
The Athletic’s team of writers and reporters placed Manchester United in eighth position, averaging out their staff picks. None of the contributors predicted a top-five finish, but several saw the team in the 6th-10th range. One writer even suggested they could be relegated in 18th place.
Journalist Cerys Jones humorously remarked that the low bar for improvement makes it possible for United to make progress. She pointed to the lack of European qualification and the new front line as potential opportunities for a rebuild.
Premier League Pundits’ Predictions
The Premier League’s official website asked a group of six writers for their predictions. While none of them placed United in the top four, four of them expected the team to finish fifth. This could be enough to secure a return to the Champions League.
Ben Bloom predicted United to finish sixth, while Alex Keble, a former writer for the site, put them in 10th place.
OPTA’s Data-Driven Forecast
Data experts OPTA used their Supercomputer to simulate the upcoming season, running 10,000 scenarios. Their average prediction places Manchester United in 12th position. Liverpool is expected to win the league, with Arsenal just behind them.
Interestingly, OPTA suggests that United is more likely to be relegated than to finish in the top four. Their chances of winning the league are only 0.6%, with a 1.4% chance of finishing second, 2.0% for third, and 2.7% for fourth. However, they have a 5.0% chance of finishing 18th, 3.6% of ending up 19th, and 2.5% of finishing at the bottom.
As the season approaches, all eyes will be on how Amorim’s strategies and the new signings translate into results. The coming months will reveal whether Manchester United can truly bounce back from their recent struggles.