Manchester United's 2026-27 Premier League Expectations: Predictions from Former Players
As Michael Carrick steps into his first full season in charge, Manchester United head to the MKM Stadium on Saturday with something unusual swirling around them: expectation, but not quite consensus.
The 12:30pm kick-off against Hull City will launch United’s 2026-27 Premier League campaign, yet the debate over where this team truly stands has already started in familiar territory — among the club’s former players.
Carrick’s blistering interim spell last season dragged United up to third in the table and earned him the job permanently in May. That surge has clearly shifted the mood, but it hasn’t unified opinion.
Foster backs repeat top-four finish
Ben Foster, who correctly tipped United for a top-four finish in 2025-26, is doubling down.
On his Fozcast podcast, the former United goalkeeper laid out his predicted 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, putting Carrick’s side in third again.
He repeated the order for emphasis: “Arsenal, Chelsea, Man United, Liverpool. We will see come the end of the season, lads.”
For Foster, United are back among the elite — but not yet at the summit.
Butt goes bold: United to finish second
Nicky Butt is even more bullish.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, the ex-United midfielder pushed Carrick’s side up another rung, predicting a title race that features United right at the sharp end.
“Liverpool, City, Man United, Arsenal,” he said when asked for his top-four picks.
Butt then clarified his thinking, suggesting United would be the closest challengers 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.”
It was an eye-catching claim. Butt sees enough in Carrick’s early work — and in United’s trajectory — to place them ahead of Liverpool and City across a full season.
Scholes urges caution over title credentials
Paul Scholes, sitting alongside Butt on the same show, struck a very different tone.
The ‘Class of ’92’ great still has United in the top four, but he doesn’t share Butt’s optimism about a genuine title push just yet.
“United [in third place] for me,” Scholes said on The Good, The Bad & The Football show.
His concern is clear and specific.
“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 sees progress. He also sees a ceiling — at least until United address what he considers a soft spot at the heart of their defence.
Owen pushes United out of the top four
Michael Owen is the first of the group to knock United out of the Champions League places altogether.
On The Good, The Bad & The Football show, the former United and Liverpool striker placed Carrick’s team fifth in his 2026-27 Premier League table.
No elaborate justification. Just a cold verdict: improvement under Carrick, yes, but not enough to elbow aside four rivals over 38 games.
For Owen, United are close, but still on the outside looking in.
Rooney splits the difference
Wayne Rooney sits somewhere in the middle.
In his BBC Sport predictions, United’s all-time top scorer has Carrick’s side finishing fourth, clinging to a top-four berth in a crowded field.
Rooney’s call reflects the broader mood around Old Trafford: cautious optimism, tempered by the memory of how fragile momentum can be.
As United prepare to walk out at Hull, Carrick’s revolution is already under the microscope. Third, second, third again, fifth, fourth — five former players, five different finishing lines.
The season will decide who read it best.
