Manchester United 2025/26 season preview: odds, prediction and transfers so far

Manchester United have their focus firmly back on the Premier League this season after prioritising Champions League qualification through winning the Europa League during the latter months of last term.

Focusing on Europe contributed to finishing 15th in the league last season. As a result of that lowly finish and their defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, United are not in any UEFA competitions this season.

Ruben Amorim will instead have plenty more time to work with the squad between matches compared to the last campaign. After a positive pre-season and some summer spending, hopes are high.

The bookmakers bet365 have United at 3/1 to finish in the top four, just shorter than their 4/1 price for another bottom-half finish. For the optimists, they are their fifth favourites to win the title at 25/1, behind Liverpool (7/4), Arsenal (9/4), Manchester City (7/2) and Chelsea (8/1).

United have enjoyed a really strong summer both on and off the pitch. They have strengthened their attacking options with three statement signings, and all of a sudden, last season's biggest weakness looks like being one of their biggest strengths ahead of the new campaign.

With no European football to come this term, United's main priority is to ensure European football is back on the menu for 2026/27. Achieving a top-four finish, which is priced at 3/1, would represent an excellent season for the Reds in their first full campaign under Ruben Amorim.

United need to get back into the Champions League after being absent from it since 2023/24. However, given how badly last season went, a top-six finish could also be deemed acceptable this season, and that is currently priced at 3/4.

There is an upbeat mood within the squad,