The 2025/26 campaign kicks off this weekend for Manchester United against Arsenal, and all ambitions are that it will be an upgrade on last season.
It would have to be a complete disaster for Manchester United to finish the 2025/26 season worse placed than the 15th place Premier League campaign last season.
It was a worst ever Premier League season for the club, and under no circumstances can it happen again.
Paul Scholes has predicted United will finish top six, which seems to be the target across the board, although there is a chance of going higher if a midfielder can be brought in.
Alternatively, Roy Keane has predicted 8th or 9th for United, which showed the variation in perception around United right now, and how nobody can really be sure of what to expect.
However, despite it being a difficult season to predict, United in Focus‘ writers have given it a shot, predicting everything from league finish to top scorer and even a bold prediction.
Manchester United taking on Fiorentina at Old Trafford.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Where will Manchester United finish in the Premier League?
Dan: 5th
The positive vibes are back after a great summer transfer window and unbeaten pre-season. We’ve been here before right? I’m trying not to get too carried away. The pieces are there and playing once a week will help. Realistically our players are not going to gel together right from the start either. I’m going to be cautious and say 5th place, a major improvement.
Dale: 5th
Manchester United can’t be as bad as they were last season, and it bodes well that Ineos exceeded expectations in the summer transfer window. Ruben Amorim needs to find a way to win football matches in the Premier League because there will be more pressure on his team to perform this term. I reckon United will jump from 15th to 5th in the league table.
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Vatsal: 3rd
Liverpool and Arsenal are clear favourites, but Man City will implode as the club finally begin to tire of Pep. Chelsea’s transfer policy finally comes back to haunt them, and Tottenham get consumed by UCL fatigue. The likes of Newcastle, Villa, Bournemouth, and Brighton haven’t been impressive and will make way for United’ meteoric jump up the table.
Sean: 6th
After last season’s disaster, I’m trying not to get carried away, but it has been an undeniably positive summer and I can’t help but feel optimistic. We don’t have enough to challenge for Champions League football, but a top-six finish feels realistic.
Jonny: 4th
Despite my head telling me that jumping 15th to 4th is ridiculous, it feels very plausible with the players in the team and also the improvements in terms of the structure and style Amorim has implemented this summer. 4th would be a massive improvement, but I would feel a lot more confident about this prediction if United add a midfielder in the ilk of Carlos Baleba. Goals alone should see an improvement this season, while no European football should also play a role.
Who will be Manchester United’s Player of the year?
Dan: Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes celebrates after the Premier League Summer Series match for Manchester United.
Photo by Kevin C. Cox – Premier League/Getty Images
It’s quite pleasing that there are lots of standout candidates. I can’t look past Bruno Fernandes however, especially as this could end up being his final season at the club, if another major Saudi offer comes his way again.
Dale: Bruno Fernandes
I can’t look past Bruno Fernandes, who has been United’s most valuable player since his transfer from Sporting CP. It would benefit the team if the new signings could help take some of the responsibility from Fernandes’ shoulders because he can’t be expected to pull us out of trouble every week.
Vatsal: Matheus Cunha
As much as I love him, if it’s Bruno Fernandes again, something will have gone very wrong! He’s become the David de Gea of this era. Matheus Cunha’s “Cantona-esque” personality will shine as he relishes the spotlight at Old Trafford. Fernandes finally has a running mate in a passing of the torch moment.
Sean: Amad
I’m going to go a little different and throw in Amad Diallo. He was exceptional last season despite missing large parts of the campaign through injury. He suits the right wing-back position, and I think his goal contributions will be mightily impressive. Fernandes will have to adapt to a deeper role, and I think there will be some questions asked of him, so I’m backing Amad to shine.
Jonny: Bruno Fernandes
While I think the three glamourous big named attacking signings will shine for United, the man tying everything together will be United’s captain fantastic, Bruno Fernandes. It will be a new role for Fernandes this season, and possibly his final year at the club with Saudi Arabian interest persisting for post the 2026 World Cup. Fernandes has been key in pre-season and he’s gonna get a lot of assists this season.
Who will be Manchester United’s Top scorer?
Dan: Bryan Mbeumo
I’d love to say Benjamin Sesko, however I’ve got a feeling Bryan Mbeumo will hit the ground running and end up outscoring him. I wouldn’t be surprised if it is Fernandes either.
Dale: Benjamin Sesko
Vatsal: Benjamin Sesko
Again, it shouldn’t be Fernandes, and for once, I’m certain it won’t be. It’s a lot to ask of a 22-year-old playing his first season in England, but, unlike Hojlund, Sesko has all the tools to succeed right away. United will hopefully get plenty of goals from various players, but Sesko leading those charts will bring a smile to most faces.
Sean: Benjamin Sesko
Big Benjamin Sesko. United have been crying out for a new striker and, in Sesko, they have picked up an extremely promising talent, but also one who is ready to hit the ground running. With passes fed in from Cunha, Mbeumo and Fernandes – he should have fantastic service to hit 15+ goals.
Jonny: Bryan Mbeumo
Benjamin Sesko will score goals for United this season, but I think he will still show signs of his age and therefore the man who will be the main goal scorer is Bryan Mbeumo. I expect Sesko to get a lot of assists for Mbeumo with knock-ons and link up, similar to how he had with Lois Openda at RB Leipzig.
Who will be Manchester United’s ‘breakout’ player of the year
Dan: Jaydan Kamason
This is a little tricky as there are a lot of players on the fringes who might end up getting sent out on loan, with few opportunities for rotation. He’s not been seen in pre-season but I’m backing Jayden Kamason to step up and break into the team at right wing-back later in the campaign.
Dale: Diego Leon
Diego Leon will experience top-flight football in England for the first time, but the young Paraguayan already looks cut out for senior football. Amorim won’t rush Leon into action, but he can expect to get plenty of minutes as Dorgu’s back up, especially if Harry Amass leaves United on loan for the season.
READ: Who is Diego Leon, Man Utd to sign 17-year-old Paraguayan as Ineos add to youth dynasty
Vatsal: Ayden Heaven
It’s a breakout that began last year before getting derailed by injuries. Ayden Heaven exceeded all expectations last season in a dysfunctional team. This season, with the right setup and preventing injuries, expect him to finish the season being billed on a similar footing as Leny Yoro, a potential “best in the world”.
Sean: Ayden Heaven
With four Premier League appearances already to his name, it feels as though Heaven has already enjoyed a small breakthrough, but I think he can really consolidate himself as a first-team regular in 25/26. Amorim will need depth at the back, and Heaven looks ready to play week-in, week-out in the Premier League.
Jonny: Ethan Williams
Picking the breakout player of the year is always difficult as usually it involves players who could quite easily be sent on loan toward the end of the transfer window, but Ethan Williams seems to be in Amorim’s plans. Williams was impressive during pre-season for United, even scoring a goal against Bournemouth, looking completely at home at the level, while also having caught Amorim’s eye.
Which Manchester United player will be the ‘surprise’ of the year?
Dan: Mason Mount
Fool me once, fool me twice, I’m falling for the Mason Mount hype for a third successive year. He has been excellent in pre-season and could force his way into the team through his work ethic alone. He’s become a forgotten man and with the extra motivation of a World Cup spot, I can see him making a real impact.
Dale: Mason Mount
Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes celebrate a goal.
Photo by Kevin C. Cox – Premier League/Getty Images
Mason Mount’s first two years at Old Trafford have been ruined by injuries. This season, however, the England international will prove his worth in a Red shirt. The Champions League winner performed immensely throughout the pre-season tour and is in contention to start against Arsenal in the Premier League opener. Moreover, Amorim has never hidden the fact that he is a big admirer of Mount.
Vatsal: Diego Leon
Sometimes the obvious answer is the right one, and Diego Leon is that answer in this case. Ruben Amorim is a fan, and his physicality makes him an immediate threat in the league. Ousting Harry Amass without kicking a ball spoke volumes about the trust club have in him. Expect him to repay it over the course of the season by becoming more important than people realise now.
Sean: Andre Onana
At the time of writing, United are yet to sign a goalkeeper and it seems as though Onana could retain his No.1 spot. If he does, I think he could surprise a few this season. If he can cut out the mistakes that cost him in 24/25, United have a goalkeeper comfortable in possession who can really help Amorim’s side build up from the back. With a better team in front of him, United could see the best of Onana.
Jonny: Mason Mount
After two long, and hard years at Manchester United, there has been some sparks of light from Mason Mount over the past few months with Amorim’s system suiting him perfectly. Mount has scored and assisted as regularly as anybody else since his return from injury last season and while maybe not starting every week, has all the tools to finally prove his worth in a red shirt this season, he just needs to stay fit.
Who will be signing of the season?
Dan: Matheus Cunha
Matheus Cunha is going to be transformative. I know some have been a little underwhelmed by the fact he hasn’t scored in pre-season, forget that. Cunha is an impact maker who knows the league, who is a perfect fit for this system. By all accounts he’s settled instantly into the squad, and that will translate onto the pitch too.
Dale: Bryan Mbeumo
I can see Mbeumo becoming a star in this season, but Cunha can also lift bums off seats.
Vatsal: Matheus Cunha
If he becomes United’s player of the year, then he’s surely the signing of the season!
Sean: Matheus Cunha
Last season there was so much reliance on Fernandes in the final third that anytime he was slightly off his game, we lost. In Cunha, United have signed a creator, an elite ball-carrier, and a Premier League-proven star who can unlock any defence. He is going to be a huge threat on the left, and his connection with Fernandes and Dorgu already looks promising.
Jonny: Matheus Cunha
I think all four signings made so far this summer will shine for the club, however, I think of the group it will be Matheus Cunha who is the most impactful. He might not score as many goals as Mbeumo or Sesko, but expect plenty of assists and goals alongside him becoming a real figure head for the team. An instant fan favourite, Cunha will have achieved cult-hero status by the end of the season.
Bold prediction for the 2025/26 season
Dan: Premier League top three at Christmas
Manchester United will be top three by Christmas. It won’t last, but I can see us putting a real run together and all getting way too carried away.
Dale: Manchester United to be highest placed Manchester side
United will finish above Man City in the league.
Vatsal: Bruno Fernandes to break Premier League assist record
Bruno Fernandes will break Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne’s record of most assists in a PL season. The current record stands at 20, and with so much firepower in the squad, and Fernandes shifting to a creator role, the stage is set for the next evolution in his game.
Sean: More goals from outside the box than any other club
Let’s go really outside of the box – literally. Manchester United will score more goals from outside the box than any other Premier League team. In Cunha, Fernandes and Sesko – United now have three incredible strikers of the ball. I’m expecting some screamers this season!
Jonny: Ruben Amorim to hand our five or more academy graduates
This summer hasn’t seen the clearout that many would have hoped for at Manchester United, but that could all accelerate in the next two weeks. Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Jadon Sancho should all be gone, and we don’t expect United to sign players to strengthen the depth which will place a big reliance on the academy. Amorim has already handed out three debuts so far in his reign and I think he will make five more during the 2025/26 campaign. Amir Ibragimov, Ethan Williams, Bendito Mantato, Jack Fletcher and Godwill Kukonki would be my picks.