Manchester United Predictions for 2026-27 Season
Manchester United haven’t kicked a ball in the new Premier League season yet, but the verdicts are already rolling in on Michael Carrick’s first full campaign in charge – and they’re coming from some of the club’s biggest old voices.
On Saturday, United walk out at the MKM Stadium to face Hull City in the early kick-off. By then, the debate will have moved from podcasts and prediction columns to the only place that really matters: the pitch. For now, though, the former players are split on just how far Carrick can take this side in 2026-27.
Foster sees repeat top-four finish
Ben Foster called a top-four finish for United last season and watched Carrick deliver third place after a blistering interim spell. He’s not backing down.
On the Fozcast podcast, the former United goalkeeper laid out his top four with no hesitation.
“All right. It’s Arsenal, then it’s Chelsea, then it’s Man United, then it’s Liverpool,” he said, before doubling down: “Arsenal, Chelsea, Man United, Liverpool. We will see come the end of the season, lads.”
For Foster, United stay in the Champions League mix, but still looking up at Arsenal and Chelsea.
Butt pushes United into title-chasing territory
Nicky Butt goes even stronger. The former United midfielder believes Carrick can push the club closer to the summit this time.
Asked for his top-four picks on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Butt replied: “Liverpool, City, Man United, Arsenal.”
He then clarified his stance, expecting United to be the main threat behind the eventual champions.
“So, I do think, obviously, we’re all agreeing with Arsenal [being top], but I think Man United will come second.”
The message is clear: Butt sees progress, and he sees United as more than just passengers in the title race.
Scholes sounds a warning over United’s defence
Paul Scholes doesn’t quite share that optimism. The Class of ’92 great still has doubts, and they centre on the back line.
“United [in third place] for me,” he said on The Good, The Bad & The Football show.
“I still think they’ve got a lot of work to do to… I think they need to strengthen. Now, look, possibly they could do better, but I just don’t think the centre-halves are good enough.”
Scholes keeps United in the top four, but his concern over the defence hangs over his prediction. For him, third is realistic unless Carrick’s side find another level at the back.
Owen drops United out of the Champions League spots
Michael Owen goes harsher still. On the same show alongside Butt and Scholes, the former United and Liverpool striker pushed Carrick’s team out of the top four altogether.
Owen’s forecast for 2026-27 has United finishing fifth, a step backwards from last season’s third place and, crucially, outside the Champions League positions.
No drama, no long explanation – just a blunt call that others at the table clearly didn’t share.
Rooney slots United into fourth
Wayne Rooney, the club’s all-time leading scorer, sits somewhere in the middle.
In his BBC Sport predictions for the Premier League top four, Rooney backed United to end the 2026-27 campaign in fourth place, clinging on to a Champions League berth but not quite threatening the very top.
So the old guard are split: second, third, fourth, even fifth. Carrick has believers and doubters, optimists and sceptics. The talking is almost done.
Hull away at 12:30pm will start to tell us which of them has read this new United era best.
