Man United had a forgettable 2024/25 campaign, which they ended with a 15th-place finish in the Premier League.
The Red Devils endured their worst-ever result in a single Premier League season, losing 18 of their 38 matches. They also finished the campaign with the lowest number of points in over 30 years. It is the closest Man United have come to being relegated from the Premier League.
Despite going unbeaten in Europe for almost the entire campaign, Man United will not be able to play in any European competitions in the 2025/26 season as they failed to win the UEFA Europa League title, losing to Tottenham Hotspur in the final.
Let’s stop with the negativity, though. Such an upsetting campaign also means Ruben Amorim’s side can focus more on finishing in the Premier League top 4 next season – as we know the quality is pretty much there. Besides, the lack of European football means they won’t have to regularly play two matches per week, giving players more rest to produce highly-energetic performances on a permanent basis.
The Red Devils will obviously push for a top-4 spot, but it won’t be easy because of the sheer competitiveness in the Premier League. Teams like Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City are almost guaranteed to finish in the top three, so just one spot is virtually available for Ruben Amorim’s side.
How achievable is this? The bookies, for one, are giving them somewhat of a chance of finishing in the top-4 at the end of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Man United have been given an early 5/1 odds to finish in the top 4 next term. Basically, this means that if an individual bets £1 on them to secure a top-4 finish and it happens, then that person would get a return of £6 with a £5 profit.
Interestingly, the likes of Aston Villa (7/2), Chelsea (22/1) and Newcastle United (18/1) have all been given better odds to snatch a top-4 finish ahead of the Red Devils next season.
Here’s the current top 10 in the betting line:
- Liverpool – 2/11
- Man City – 2/9
- Arsenal – 2/9
- Newcastle United – 8/5
- Chelsea – 2/1
- Aston Villa – 7/2
- Man United – 5/1
- Tottenham Hotspur – 13/2
- Brighton – 20/1
- Nottingham Forest – 20/1
The good news is that it’s not always necessary to finish in the top 4 to qualify for the Champions League. This season, for example, as many as six (!) teams managed to secure their participation in Europe’s biggest continental competition, with the first five Premier League sides and Tottenham as the Europa League winners set to play there next term.
Anyway, Man United want to make sure they are good enough to do it without other teams’ favours. Ruben Amorim’s side have started being proactive early in the transfer window, securing the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves ahead of the start of the summer window. There are also rumours about Bryan Mbeumo’s and even Viktor Gyokeres’ potential arrivals emerging.
However, they still need a few more impactful signings to consistently win matches and get back into the Premier League top-4 next season. Will they be able to secure a Champions League spot next term?