Expectations for the 2026/27 season

Can somebody tell me why Chelsea are so heavily fancied? Is it purely just kneejerk reaction to a decent start? Let’s see after they get beaten by Arsenal at the weekend!
 
I’ll go against the grain and say I think our squad is easily good enough for a light challenge. We won’t win it but I think we could be there or there abouts in January before ultimately falling short. I think we will be in and around city in 2nd and 3rd behind Arsenal again.
 
TrustInJanuzaj said:
Can somebody tell me why Chelsea are so heavily fancied? Is it purely just kneejerk reaction to a decent start? Let’s see after they get beaten by Arsenal at the weekend!
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Chelsea have a lot of good young players, last season they lacked experienced players in the squad, they've addressed that and have a new coach, they're not going to win the league but top 4 is a realistic aim, and being beaten by Arsenal won't tell you much, Aesenal are the best team in the country and are't going to lose too many games
 
TrustInJanuzaj said:
Can somebody tell me why Chelsea are so heavily fancied? Is it purely just kneejerk reaction to a decent start? Let’s see after they get beaten by Arsenal at the weekend!
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They did good business and have one of the highest rated managers around on top of an already decent team with no Europe to worry about
 
I think we'll get top 4 in the PL
CL - we should get thru the first stage, after that depends on who we drawn against
Domestic cups - we're capable of winning either one
 
4th and CL Quarters is the most optimistic I can be, but worried we'll get some injuries and be in a s scrap for 5th.

TrustInJanuzaj said:
Can somebody tell me why Chelsea are so heavily fancied? Is it purely just kneejerk reaction to a decent start? Let’s see after they get beaten by Arsenal at the weekend!
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The same benefits we had with no Europe last season... Something they used the last time they appointed a good manager and won the league
 
Very hard to guess. 4 of the other big 6 clubs have major adjustments to deal with, and so does Aston Villa, who basically replaced most of their squad core. Newcastle on unfamiliar ground, and undeniably weakened squad-wise. I think there are probably 4 teams with a stronger squad than us, but it's not a huge difference. If the players deliver on their potential to a reasonable degree and we have about average luck with injuries and suspensions, that could land us pretty much anywhere from 2nd to 6th or 7th. I can't remember when there was a season with so many and so big uncertainties affecting so many teams, especially the top ones.
 
We failed to address some big problems in the squad, at a time when it was pretty vital to do so with the increase in matches we're looking at, so I think we're in for a rough season.

I think we'll finish 5th or 6th in the league, and we'll be lucky to make it to the final 16 in Europe.

I think we're gonna concede a lot of goals this season, unfortunately. Our entire back line needs to be replaced before we're serious contenders.
 
------------------------------------Sesko/Mbeumo/Zirkzee-------------------------------------

----Cunha/Rashford---------Bruno/Mason----------Amad/Lacey-----

-------------------------Mainoo/Youri-------Baleba/Santos----------------------

----Shaw/Dorgu------Martinez/Heaven-------Deligt/Harry/Yoro/-------Dalot/Maz-----

---------------------------------------------Lemmens/Darlow----------------------------------------------------

Hope there wont be too many injuries, and first team doesnt look bad (Rashford,Mbeumo,Zirkzee,Mason,Youri,Santos could offer a good backup)

Time for Rashford delivering a 20+ goals season and Zirkzee tearing European sides apart in Champions league as I think he is better suited to it.
 
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Top 5 and qualify for CL. Clear group stage of CL. Decent run in league and fa cup.

We are miles away from City and Arsenal. Chelsea, perhaps.
 
I think Utd are in a better place than a lot of the doom and gloom that's been the main sentiment over the last few months due to the lack of big spending. The squad is pretty settled, no glaring weaknesses, we now have good options in midfield and attack, the defence is a little bit of a worry but its only based on concerns around left back, but its an easy position to sort if we don't expect much going forward.

I expect a solid if unspectacular season, league wise I think there is enough to get top 4, though I suspect it will be a very competitive season with many teams competing for 4th spot. Utd are good enough to finish 3rd again, which is where I predict them to finish, Arsenal and City will be taking up the top 2 spots.

In Europe, I think they'll make it through the group, the strength of the PL guarantees that, we'll have too much quality not to reach the play offs at minimum. Beyond that depends on the draw, I think Utd can make it through to the quarters with a favourable draw. Its just a bonus to be involved and something to look forward to.

Now we have CL the domestic cups I have little interest in, I just want the club to use this to give the youngsters a chance. Dangle a carrot, tell them they will play every round, its up to them to perform and win to keep getting minutes. We have a lot of youngsters knocking on the door of the first team and the league cup is a perfect chance for them to prove they are ready and give Carrick a problem, play well and challenge the first teamers. I just worry the club won't see it that way, they'll see a real chance of silverware and I fully expect most of the first team involved and due to that we could well end up suffering fatigue and costing us in the league. Squad management is so important this season, we really must give players rest and others opportunity.
 
Carrick won‘t survive the season and he hasn’t been backed at all. They went for the cheap yes man, it was their plan along to not push for the top 2 spots.
 
doomy20 said:
Carrick won‘t survive the season and he hasn’t been backed at all. They went for the cheap yes man, it was their plan along to not push for the top 2 spots.
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Tielemens, Santos and Baleba are decent upgrade over Casemeiro and Ugarte. Last season we have huge issues whenever Casemeiro not playing. Hopefully, we will do well with this midfield with Mainoo and Mount (hope he stays fit, he is a huge assets to the team).
 
Top 5 finish, domestic trophy final/winners and reach the round of 16 in the champions league would be acceptable imo. We are still short in key areas and the midfield will need time to gel.
 
maximus419 said:
I think Utd are in a better place than a lot of the doom and gloom that's been the main sentiment over the last few months due to the lack of big spending. The squad is pretty settled, no glaring weaknesses, we now have good options in midfield and attack, the defence is a little bit of a worry but its only based on concerns around left back, but its an easy position to sort if we don't expect much going forward.

I expect a solid if unspectacular season, league wise I think there is enough to get top 4, though I suspect it will be a very competitive season with many teams competing for 4th spot. Utd are good enough to finish 3rd again, which is where I predict them to finish, Arsenal and City will be taking up the top 2 spots.

In Europe, I think they'll make it through the group, the strength of the PL guarantees that, we'll have too much quality not to reach the play offs at minimum. Beyond that depends on the draw, I think Utd can make it through to the quarters with a favourable draw. Its just a bonus to be involved and something to look forward to.

Now we have CL the domestic cups I have little interest in, I just want the club to use this to give the youngsters a chance. Dangle a carrot, tell them they will play every round, its up to them to perform and win to keep getting minutes. We have a lot of youngsters knocking on the door of the first team and the league cup is a perfect chance for them to prove they are ready and give Carrick a problem, play well and challenge the first teamers. I just worry the club won't see it that way, they'll see a real chance of silverware and I fully expect most of the first team involved and due to that we could well end up suffering fatigue and costing us in the league. Squad management is so important this season, we really must give players rest and others opportunity.
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Can't wait for the next nine months to play out with the exciting prospect of 'solid if unspectacular' to look forward to
 
Top 4/5 so CL qualification. Should get out of CL league stage, then it will depend on who we get and if we are in form. Cups, not too sure. It will depend on if he rests players and that might show if our squad is not as strong as we hope. You would hope Bruno gets a rest in early stages of cups as cannot flog him to death due to number of potential games we have.
 
Sporting Index spread as of 01/09:

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Qualify for CL
Get to the knockouts of CL and assess on opponent base
Go deep in one cup

Think that would be a good and fair assessment of where the team is
 
Optimistically? 5th (and scraping a CL place). Decent run in the FA Cup. Out of the League Cup early. I have no idea on the CL. I fear we won't go far. But you never know!
 
Top 5 and another CL qualification, assuming Carrick manages the team as well as he did last season. The squad looks decent and it's now down to him and the coaches to get it firing.
 
League- 5th, behind Arsenal, City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and hoping Spurs and Newcastle don’t get their act together.

CL - what’s the format now? We are not going deep, at any rate.

League Cup - exit to first PL side we face. Hopefully avoid mighty Grimsby Town this time.

FA Cup - shock exit to semi-pro side.
 
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Wing Attack Plan R said:
League- 5th, behind Arsenal, City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and hoping Spurs and Newcastle don’t get their act together.

CL - what’s the format now? We are not going deep, at any rate.

FA Cup - exit to first PL side we face. Hopefully avoid mighty Grimsby Town this time.

League Cup - shock exit to semi-pro side.
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You’ve got your domestic cups mixed up there.
 
Wing Attack Plan R said:
League- 5th, behind Arsenal, City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and hoping Spurs and Newcastle don’t get their act together.

CL - what’s the format now? We are not going deep, at any rate.

FA Cup - exit to first PL side we face. Hopefully avoid mighty Grimsby Town this time.

League Cup - shock exit to semi-pro side.
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I would be expecting us to finish above Liverpool, they may have spent a ton of money but they currently depend on an aging Van Dijk, have far worse FB's than we do and no real CDM either
 
I kinda hope we exit the league cup quickly. Pointless tournament that adds to crazy fixture congestion in the holiday period
 
Champions league qualification is main target for this season.

Hopefully qualify for CL knockouts.

A cup run is a bonus.
 
I think Arsenal and City just have much stronger squads than us and are honestly light years ahead of United while Chelsea have an excellent front 3, a good coach and will benefit from having fewer games so probably are the favourites to finish 3rd.

4th feels realistic but the reality is that the teams between 3rd and like 8th are all flawed, will drop a lot of points and there isn't a huge amount between them so if we get a few injuries we might finish at the lower end of that group. For now I'd fancy us to get 4th and think qualifying for the Champions League again and being better in the cups should be the aim.
 
sp_cgb said:
Will be hard to quote anyone with a head so firmly stuck in the sand.


As for the predictions:

Premier League: At best 4-5th. If we have some rather untimely injuries, we could easily slip to 6th/7th. Will also largely depend on other teams, I guess especially Liverpool and Aston Villa. Not convinced by either of these teams, but you never know.

Champions League: We'll make at least the Playoffs. Could go out there and then, or in the subsequent Knockout-Round. This team/squad isn't equipped for European football and even making it past the league stage can probably considered a success. Not getting trashed by Bayern at home would be welcome.

Domestic Cups: Entirely Draw dependent. With an alright draw a Cup win is always possible. Even at its worst this team has been capable of decent one-off performances. If the draw is less forgiving and we regularly play the second string team though, I wouldn't be surprised if we won't make it very far. In that case even the upcoming Brighton game could already spell the end of our League Cup run.


There. The subpar transfer window has probably set us up for failure, but at this moment in time, we're all allowed to have some hope of a half-decent season. Or at least not a terrible one as some may in recent years. I doubt Ineos' standing even among their most ardent supporters could survive another lower table finish and/or an early managerial dismissal.
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I envy your future where you’re amazed by what we’ve done and your mind is blown; followed with a full retraction of course.

For the first time in years I’m actually convinced we’re doing good stuff, rather than the stuff I want us to do (signing stupid name players for massive money).

Steady does it. Too much change and expectation is where we’ve gone wrong previously.

I honestly don’t think we’ve created a serious trophy winning first 11 yet, but we’ve created one that can win stuff with a bit of luck and some favourable draws. A side with a decent floor and a high ceiling.
 
Teja said:
I kinda hope we exit the league cup quickly. Pointless tournament that adds to crazy fixture congestion in the holiday period
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Same, losing to Brighton in the first round would be a small blessing, especially if United have wins either side in the Prem against City and Fulham.

If Carrick won the Carabao Cup (if that's what it's still called?) he nor the club would get any credit for it...just focus on the league and the CL.
 
I think Arsenal, City and Chelsea will claim the top 3 places, not necessarily in that order. Chelsea are like us last year, no Europe and with a much bigger squad.
That leaves Liverpool and us challenging with a surprise team probably for the next 3 places. So for me best scenario 4th and worst 6th.
The only thing that's really worrying is the defence. We are playing on a wing and a prayer with the likes of Maguire Martinez and Shaw not getting injured. All three need replacing next season. Lammens, for me, isn't a top tier goalie either and always seems to let a goal in. He's decent, but not Raya, Donnarumma level, for example
Cups anything can happen, but I would bet money we don't win Ch Lge
 
We have the best player in the league and a good team. If Bruno keep the kind of form he showed last season we will finish third or fourth. Can’t see us higher as Arsenal and City are too strong.
 
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