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Manchester United Legends Split on Carrick’s First Season Predictions
Manchester United step into the 2026-27 Premier League campaign with something they have not had in years: genuine optimism wrapped in genuine doubt.
Michael Carrick’s side, reborn during his electric interim spell and rewarded with the job permanently in May, open their season away at Hull City on Saturday lunchtime. The MKM Stadium will host the first real test of whether last season’s surge to third was a springboard or a high-water mark.
On the sidelines, some of Old Trafford’s most decorated alumni are already calling their shots.
Foster: United to hold their ground
Ben Foster has seen enough to believe United will stay in the Champions League places, but not climb the mountain just yet.
The former United goalkeeper, speaking on the Fozcast podcast, laid out his 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, backing Carrick to repeat last season’s third-place finish.
He doubled down on the order, adding: “Arsenal, Chelsea, Man United, Liverpool. We will see come the end of the season, lads.”
For Foster, United are steady, not spectacular. Still in the pack, still in the conversation.
Butt goes bold: Carrick’s United to finish second
Nicky Butt sees something more.
The former United and England midfielder is convinced Carrick’s United can jump a rung on the ladder and push themselves into second place.
When asked for his top four on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Butt replied: “Liverpool, City, Man United, Arsenal.”
He then clarified where he really sees United landing.
“So, I do think, obviously, we’re all agreeing with Arsenal [being top], but I think Man United will come second.”
The order may have been muddled in the moment, but the message was clear: Butt expects United to be the main challengers, not just passengers in the race.
Scholes sounds a warning: third at best
Paul Scholes is not buying the idea of a title tilt just yet.
Also speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football show, the ‘Class of ’92’ midfielder placed United in third and pointed straight at a familiar problem.
“United [in third place] for me,” he said. “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.”
It was classic Scholes: blunt, specific, and focused on the spine of the team. For him, Carrick’s system and last season’s momentum can only carry United so far without upgrades at the back.
Owen pushes United out of the top four
Michael Owen sees the glass a little emptier.
Sharing his 2026-27 predictions alongside Butt and Scholes on The Good, The Bad & The Football, the former United and Liverpool striker tipped Carrick’s side to fall just short of the Champions League places.
Owen has United finishing fifth, a step back from last season’s third and a verdict that underlines just how fierce he expects the race for the top four to be.
No drama, no caveats. Just a belief that someone will edge them out over 38 games.
Rooney backs a scrap – and a top-four finish
Wayne Rooney, though, still trusts United to make it.
In his BBC Sport predictions, the club’s all-time leading goalscorer slotted Carrick’s team into fourth place, keeping them inside the Champions League positions but only just.
Fourth. On the brink. Fighting to stay in the elite rather than leading the chase.
Five former United players. Four different finishing positions. One new manager stepping into his first full season with expectation rising on all sides.
On Saturday at Hull, Carrick’s United begin the task of proving which of those old team-mates has read the future correctly – and which of them has underestimated what this side can become.
