Ross Jackson

Manchester City’s writers expect the club to finish second in the Premier League behind Arsenal, with squad upheaval and the loss of dressing-room leaders creating doubts about consistency. They predict a Champions League run ranging from the quarter-finals to the semi-finals and believe City will win at least one domestic trophy, most likely the Carabao Cup. Jeremy Doku, Ryan McAidoo and Antoine Semenyo are identified as players to watch, while bolder predictions include Erling Haaland scoring 40–50 goals, City winning their opening five league matches and Rayan Cherki breaking the Premier League single-season assist record.

Manchester United’s writers broadly predict a fourth-place Premier League finish, with the club closer to the title race than last season but facing stronger competition from Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa. They expect United to progress beyond the Champions League league phase, with forecasts ranging from the last 16 to the quarter-finals. Views differ on domestic trophies, with one writer backing a League Cup final victory while the others predict another trophyless season. Matheus Cunha, Shea Lacey and Bryan Mbeumo are identified as players to watch, while Amad Diallo is tipped for a major rebound. One prediction holds that United could lead the league early and finish at least 20 points ahead of Liverpool.

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick says Marcus Rashford has returned to training fit, sharp and ready to play, while confirming he can operate centrally if needed. Benjamin Sesko, Karl Darlow and Matthijs de Ligt have resumed training, although De Ligt will not face Hull City, while Mason Mount is nearing a return after a minor knock. Carrick rejected the idea of an easy opening fixture and said United must improve substantially to challenge for the Premier League. The club is also seeking to strengthen its squad, with a reported £60 million bid plus £5 million in add-ons for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, while Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly now appears likely to remain at the club.

Readers overwhelmingly rated Rodri’s seven-year Manchester City career highly, with 61% giving him 10 out of 10 and a further 24% awarding 9 out of 10. His move to Barcelona was confirmed for £64.5 million, which is viewed as reasonable given that he had only 12 months remaining on his contract. Rodri leaves as a City legend after winning the Ballon d’Or and scoring the decisive goal in the 2023 Champions League final. Manchester City must now find a replacement, as Ayyoub Bouaddi’s expected arrival would not fill Rodri’s role, while Nico González could also depart amid interest from Newcastle United.

Manchester United completed their pre-season schedule with a defeat to AC Milan and will begin the Premier League season with several injury concerns. Matheus Cunha’s knock is not considered serious, while Mason Mount and Karl Darlow could potentially return for the Hull City opener. Matthijs de Ligt remains without a confirmed comeback date after back surgery, Tom Heaton faces at least several weeks out with a hamstring injury, and Benjamin Sesko is unlikely to be ready after missing the final friendly. Manuel Ugarte’s knee-ligament injury is expected to keep him sidelined until 2027.

AC Milan defeated Manchester United 4-2 in United’s final pre-season match at the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw. Harry Maguire gave United an early lead, but Samuel Chukwueze equalised before Patrick Dorgu restored United’s advantage after half-time. Alphadjo Cisse, Goncalo Ramos and Ruben Loftus-Cheek then scored for Milan. Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty, while Senne Lammens made several saves. Marcus Rashford returned to the United team for the first time in 20 months, playing the final half-hour, as Michael Carrick continued preparations for the new season.

Marcus Rashford received cheers from Manchester United supporters when he came on against AC Milan, marking his first appearance for the club since December 2024. After loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona, where he had hoped to secure a permanent move, Rashford has returned to Old Trafford despite United remaining open to selling him. Manager Michael Carrick has welcomed him back, while fan opinion remains divided: 69% of respondents in an earlier Manchester Evening News poll wanted the club to part ways with him.

Manchester United have several injury concerns one week before their Premier League opener at Hull. Matthijs de Ligt remains out after back surgery, Manuel Ugarte faces a lengthy absence until 2027, and Tom Heaton is expected to miss several weeks with a hamstring injury. Mason Mount could return to the squad for Hull, while Benjamin Sesko is more likely to return against Ipswich on August 30. Karl Darlow is also recovering from an unspecified issue, while Bryan Mbeumo is expected to start in Sesko’s absence.

Manchester United have unveiled their ivory 2026/27 third kit, featuring a centrally placed devil crest, maroon and green detailing, dark shorts and ivory socks. The shirt includes a hand-drawn rose pattern inspired by Manchester’s cultural identity and community spaces, including Salford Lads and Girls Club. The launch video features first-team players, club legends Gary Pallister and Peter Schmeichel, and supporters Aitch and Angry Ginge.

Manchester United drew 1-1 with Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg after Ibrahim Mbaye gave PSG an early lead and Bryan Mbeumo equalised. United improved after a slow start and were the stronger side in the second half, but could not find a winner. Mason Mount was substituted with a foot injury before half-time but later said he was fine, while goalkeeper Tom Heaton also went off with a suspected hamstring problem. Michael Carrick discussed the match as a useful pre-season test and confirmed that Marcus Rashford will return to United training after Barcelona declined to sign him permanently.

Mason Mount was substituted less than 20 minutes into Manchester United's pre-season friendly against Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg after appearing to collide with an opponent. Mount had been one of United's standout pre-season performers and was expected to partner Andrey Santos in midfield for the Premier League opener against Hull. His withdrawal, with Tyler Fletcher replacing him, creates a potential concern for manager Michael Carrick, who is expected to provide an update after the match.

Enzo Maresca and Rico Lewis previewed Manchester City’s pre-season friendly against Atlético Madrid in Seoul. Lewis praised Maresca’s clarity and said Rodri’s quality is widely recognized, while acknowledging that players may leave as part of football’s normal cycle. Maresca said Rodri’s potential transfer to Barcelona remains separate from his plans, confirmed that James Trafford’s departure was driven by a desire for more game time, and described the new season as a reset for the entire squad. He highlighted the players’ openness, work ethic and adaptation to new tactical patterns, while calling the chance to manage City a privilege and emphasizing the club’s expectation to compete for titles.

Manchester City have confirmed a 28-man squad for their 2026 pre-season tour in Asia. Jack Grealish is absent while recovering from injury, intensifying speculation that he could leave the club, and Kalvin Phillips is reportedly heading toward a fourth loan spell, potentially at Sheffield United. Several academy players have been included, while Gianluigi Donnarumma and Phil Foden are among the senior players available. City will face Inter Milan in Hong Kong, a K-League XI in Seoul and Atlético Madrid during the tour.

Manchester United recorded their first pre-season win by defeating Rosenborg 5-0 in Norway. Shea Lacey and Joshua Zirkzee scored in the first half, while Jacob Devaney, Harry Amass and Ethan Wheatley completed the rout after the interval. The performance featured several promising young players, with Harry Maguire, Michael Carrick and Mason Mount also highlighted; JJ Gabriel did not feature. United next face a tougher test against Atletico Madrid in Sweden.

Manchester City have completed the signing of England midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a reported £116 million. The 23-year-old has signed a contract through 2031 and will join the squad after a post-World Cup break. Anderson said he was determined to make the move and eager to establish himself at City, while director of football Hugo Viana praised his energy, work rate and passing range and said the club believes he can develop into a complete midfielder.