Man United are one of four Premier League clubs who could finish mid-table this season, but will they improve in 2025/26?
The start of the new campaign is tantalisingly close, with United looking to overcome a woeful 2024/25 season that saw them finish 15th.
Here’s our pre-season preview of Liverpool’s biggest rivals, as well as Brighton, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace.
Man United
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, January 5, 2025: Manchester United's Lisandro Martínez celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Last season: 15th
TIA predicted finish: 6th
Best XI: Onana; Yoro, De Ligt, Martinez; Amad, Fernandes, Casemiro, Dorgu; Cunha, Mbuemo; Sesko.
The view from Man United
Ruben Amorim has seen his Manchester United side lose four straight games (Martin Rickett/PA)
Kadeem Simmonds (@KadeemSimmonds)
Where will Man United finish? It’s difficult to say, but it’s hard to finish worse than 15th and stay up this season.
No European football, more time on the training field and a few improvements in the team has many fans, including myself, saying top seven at a minimum.
If I had to take a guess, I think sixth, but I also wouldn’t be surprised to see United finish ninth or 10th.
Where will Liverpool finish? It’s impossible to see them not finish outside the top three.
Arsenal will keep on pushing and Man City are likely to improve, but I’m not one to just hand them the title after what many considered a ‘down’ season.
I predict a second-place finish for Liverpool, as players adapt to new signings and the league adapts to Arne Slot as a manager.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 10, 2024: Manchester United's captain Bruno Fernandes during the FA Community Shield match between Manchester City FC and Manchester United FC at Wembley Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Who will win the league, if not Liverpool? City. But I don’t think they will run away with it like they have in previous years.
One player you wish Man United would sign, realistically: Surprisingly, it’s not Carlos Baleba. I have wanted Hayden Hackney all summer, dating back to last year as well.
There’s a player there that could be worth around £70 million in a year or two with the right development, similar to Adam Wharton at Crystal Palace.
Baleba is going to cost a lot of money – rightfully so – and given the outlay so far this summer, that money could very easily strengthen two positions.
Sign Hackney and Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens, and come back with change.
How’s your optimism for the season ahead? New season, new beginning, new optimism.
I’m not one to realistically believe United will be in for a title challenge – right now I will settle for back-to-back wins and beating teams we are ‘supposed’ to be beating.
You can’t build a house on a weak foundation, and if United are to challenge in the near future, it is about using this season as the foundation and not trying to run before they can walk.
That’s probably one analogy too many!
Advice for visiting fans: Be respectful of not only Old Trafford but the surrounding area.
Make the most of the trip and get home safely.
Brighton
BRIGHTON & HOVE, ENGLAND - Monday, May 19, 2025: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo is challenged by Brighton & Hove Albion's Mats Wieffer during the FA Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at the American Express Community Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Last season: 8th
TIA predicted finish: 15th
Best XI: Verbruggen, De Cuyper, Dunk, Van Hecke, De Kuyper, Kadioglu, Minteh, Baleba, Hinshelwood, Mitoma, Georginio, Welbeck.
The view from Brighton
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 2, 2024: Brighton & Hove Albion's Kaoru Mitoma during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Kieran Maguire (@KieranMaguire)
Where will Brighton finish? Seventh if keep Carlos Baleba, ninth if he goes.
Where will Liverpool finish? 1st
Who will win the league, if not Liverpool? Chelsea
One player you wish Brighton would sign, realistically: Harvey Elliott
How’s your optimism for the season ahead? Reasonably. Losing Joao Pedro was a blow, and if Baleba goes too, it will be a bit grumpy.
That said, we have already recruited the person to take his place – Baleba was Moises Caicedo’s replacement – and I have huge faith in owner Tony Bloom.
He is a successful local fan who is super smart and has a long-term strategy for the club that is working.
Advice for visiting fans: Make a weekend of it! Brighton is a great place to spend a few days.
It’s completely bonkers, but always a laugh.
Bournemouth
Last season: 9th
TIA predicted finish: 11th
Best XI: Petrovic, Smith, Zabarnyi (if he stays), Senesi, Truffert, Cook, Christie, Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara, Evanilson.
The view from Bournemouth
ntoine Semenyo of Bournemouth celebrates a goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest at the Vitality stadium in Bournemouth, England, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Sean Ryan)
Tom Jordan (@afcbpodcast)
Where will Bournemouth finish? Last season exceeded expectations on the whole, but I think this campaign may be a bit tougher for us.
I’ll stay pretty optimistic, though, and go for 12th.
Where will Liverpool finish? Champions. Liverpool have to be the favourites to retain the crown for me.
One player you wish Bournemouth would sign, realistically: Harvey Elliott. He is yet to move on, but it feels like he will and I think it would be a perfect fit.
Versatile and all action, Andoni Iraola would love him!
How’s your optimism for the season ahead? It depends on what the club see as success, really.
If it’s just surviving in the Premier League, then I’m confident we will be fine. If it’s try and eclipse last season’s ninth-place finish, I just can’t see it.
Advice for visiting fans: Pop down the beach if you get a chance!
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi lifts the Community Shield with team-mates (John Walton/PA)
Last season: 12th
TIA predicted finish: 13th
Best XI: Henderson, Munoz, Guehi, Lacroix, Mitchell, Richards, Wharton, Doucoure, Eze, Sarr, Mateta.
The view from Palace
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 17, 2025: Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta (L) and manager Oliver Glasner celebrate after the FA Cup Final between Crystal Palace FC and Manchester City FC at Wembley Stadium. Crystal Palace won 1-0. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Propaganda)
Robbie Scotcher (@RobbieScotcher)
Where will Palace finish? Has to be 12th. We always finish 12th.
Where will Liverpool finish? Champions, but I do think it will be closer between the top two. Arsenal will be up there.
One player you wish Palace would sign, realistically: Ben Doak. We’ve tried to get him the past few windows and I think he would fit our system.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 10, 2025: Crystal Palace's Justin Devenny (R) celebrates with team-mates Maxence Lacroix, Dean Henderson and Jean-Philippe Mateta after scoring the decisive winning penalty of the shoot-out during the FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. Palace won 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Propaganda)
How’s your optimism for the season ahead? I’m always optimistic before a ball has been kicked. As it stands, we’ve not sold anyone, but we will.
I always want us to do our business early, but that’s difficult for us and I’m sure it will be an interesting month or so.
European football beckons in the Europa Conference League, and I am really looking forward to watching us overseas.
Advice for visiting fans: Check the trains before you travel! And ‘Tasty Jerk’ near the club shop is banging.