Arsenal are the new Premier League champions for the 2025-26 season.
The Gunners secured only the fourth league title in the club’s history, bringing an end to the era of dominance previously enjoyed by Liverpool and Manchester City.
With Pep Guardiola expected to leave Man City at the end of the campaign, the Premier League title race suddenly feels more open than it has in years.
That creates a golden opportunity for both Manchester United and Chelsea to make a serious statement this summer and launch genuine title challenges next season.
So, which of the two sleeping giants is actually better placed to lift the Premier League crown first?
Club leadership
The Glazer family remain deeply unpopular among United supporters but they have given INEOS the powers to make footballing decisions.
The first two years under Jim Ratcliffe and his leadership team have been turbulent and filled with questionable managerial decisions.
However, despite criticism, United have quietly produced some impressive work in the transfer market behind the scenes.
While United’s hierarchy have faced deserved scrutiny, Chelsea’s ownership under Todd Boehly has arguably looked even more chaotic.
Boehly’s reign has brought instability to Stamford Bridge, with both players and managers often appearing uncertain about the long-term direction of the club.
It is fair to say that Chelsea must revamp their strategy, or else they could follow the downward trend of Tottenham Hotspur.
Squad quality
Chelsea undoubtedly possess exciting talent, but much of their squad remains extremely young and inexperienced.
On their day, those players can produce moments capable of changing games instantly.
However, inconsistency is often the unavoidable consequence of relying heavily on youth.
The absence of proven leaders within the Chelsea dressing room also remains painfully obvious.
United appear to be in a far healthier position following their superb recruitment during the summer of 2025.
The club ruthlessly moved on players who were no longer good enough before replacing them with proven Premier League performers such as Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
The bold decisions to invest in Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens have also turned into major success stories.
Right now, United arguably possess the stronger and more balanced squad, although the upcoming transfer window could still completely reshape the equation.
The manager debate
Xabi Alonso is expected to take charge of Chelsea from July onwards in one of the biggest managerial appointments of the summer.
The Spaniard is widely regarded as one of the sharpest tactical minds in modern football after his impressive work in the Bundesliga.
Even a disappointing spell at Real Madrid has done little to damage his reputation across Europe.
Chelsea may have secured an elite managerial talent, but the club’s history suggests patience quickly disappears when results begin to decline.
At Old Trafford, Michael Carrick is expected to be confirmed as permanent head coach after guiding United back into the UEFA Champions League.
It promises to become a fascinating battle between two young managers who once dominated midfields during their playing careers.
Alonso may hold the advantage in terms of managerial pedigree and experience, but United arguably possess the superior squad structure and a more stable football project right now.
That combination could ultimately give Man United the edge in the race to become Premier League champions again.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com