Manchester United Predictions for Premier League 2026-27
As Manchester United prepare to launch their first full Premier League campaign under Michael Carrick, the predictions have already started flying in from some very familiar faces.
The Carrick era moves from promising cameo to full-length feature on Saturday, when United travel to the MKM Stadium for a lunchtime meeting with Hull City. Last season’s late surge under the former midfielder dragged the club to a third-place finish. Now, the question hangs over Old Trafford: was that the start of something serious, or a hot streak that flatters to deceive?
A group of ex-United players have nailed their colours to the mast.
Foster: United to repeat third-place finish
Ben Foster, never shy of a bold call on his Fozcast podcast, is backing United to hold their ground in the top four and finish exactly where they did in 2025-26.
“All right. It’s Arsenal, then it’s Chelsea, then it’s Man United, then it’s Liverpool,” he said, laying out his predicted top four.
He doubled down on the order as he signed off: “Arsenal, Chelsea, Man United, Liverpool. We will see come the end of the season, lads.”
For Foster, Carrick keeps United competitive, but not yet at the very top of the pile.
Butt pushes United up to second
Nicky Butt is more bullish. The former United and England midfielder believes Carrick can drive his old club one step higher, into second place.
On The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Butt was asked for his top-four picks and replied: “Liverpool, City, Man United, Arsenal.”
He then clarified his thinking, suggesting United will be the main climbers among the elite.
“So, I do think, obviously, we’re all agreeing with Arsenal [being top], but I think Man United will come second.”
The exact order in his quote may raise eyebrows, but the message is clear: Butt expects United to be serious title challengers, not just passengers in the top-four race.
Scholes sounds a defensive warning
Paul Scholes, another pillar of the ‘Class of ’92’, is more cautious. He agrees with Foster that third place is the most realistic outcome for Carrick’s first full season.
“United [in third place] for me,” he said on The Good, The Bad & The Football show.
The concern, as ever with Scholes, is rooted in what he sees on the pitch rather than sentiment.
“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.”
For Scholes, the ceiling is higher if the squad is upgraded. Until then, third feels like both progress and a limit.
Owen leaves United outside the top four
Michael Owen sees it differently. Sharing the studio with Butt and Scholes, the former United and Liverpool striker tipped Carrick’s side to miss out on the Champions League places altogether.
Owen’s prediction for 2026-27 is a fifth-place finish, a step back from last season’s third and a verdict that underlines how divided opinion remains on United’s trajectory under Carrick.
No elaborate explanation, no sugar-coating. Just a cold forecast that United will fall short of the top four.
Rooney slots United in at fourth
Wayne Rooney, United’s all-time leading scorer, sits somewhere between the optimists and the sceptics.
In his BBC Sport predictions for the Premier League top four, Rooney backed United to finish fourth, clinging onto a Champions League spot but not yet crashing the title race.
So the picture is set. Foster and Scholes see third. Butt pushes them up to second. Rooney drops them to fourth. Owen has them tumbling to fifth.
Carrick’s first full season in charge hasn’t even kicked off, and already the old guard are split. The only verdict that will matter comes in May — but by then, will they have underestimated him, or overreached on a club still rebuilding its spine?
