Man Utd nowhere near good enough for Champions League as Ruben Amorim's future decided

It's been a big summer for Manchester United with some big incomings, and some big outgoings. A new-look attack will take to the Old Trafford pitch next weekend when Arsenal visit Manchester on the opening weekend of the Premier League season. Fresh from finishing a miserable 15th last season, United seek to climb England's top flight courtesy of their new front three - Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko.

But will their new forward line be enough to fire them back into the Champions League? According to most of our team on Express Sport, the answer is no, with one writer saying they are still 'nowhere near good enough' to return to UEFA's premier competition. Ruben Amorim, though, is being backed to build on his dismal first campaign at the club.

Read our full Man Utd Premier League predictions below...

Mikael McKenzie

Where will Man Utd finish in the Premier League?

13th. United still need a world-class goalkeeper, central defender and central midfielder - yet they're going all out for a new striker. The spine is missing several key vertebrates so they'll be hunched without European football for another year. Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Brighton and Bournemouth will all finish ahead of United.

Will Ruben Amorim still be in charge by 2026?

Yes. Ruben Amorim isn't a bad manager. The few signings he has made so far have been the right ones. Proven Premier League players who are coming to their peak. But there is the problem, it has been too few. Even the Mbeumo deal took a month too long.
If any heads roll this season, it should be those in the recruitment department. Bring in competent negotiators who get business done early so Amorim isn't integrating players at the last minute and, therefore, always playing catch-up.

Who will be Man Utd's best player this season not named Bruno Fernandes?

Amad. The youngster has bags of potential and there will be less pressure on his shoulders following the arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. If United struggle going forwards, questions will be asked of the new arrivals, not Amad. And that will see him flourish.

Alex Turk

Where will Man Utd finish in the Premier League?

No European football is not a positive for a club of Manchester United's stature, but it could prove handy in their attempts to ensure they're playing around the continent again next season. Despite Ruben Amorim's attack-focused summer, there are still glaring issues in midfield and between the sticks. United will be better - obviously - but there is certainly a limit if Benjamin Sesko is the last arrival. A fifth-place finish is achievable and would be a success.

Will Ruben Amorim still be in charge by 2026?

Yes. It's easy to see that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS hierarchy are all in on Amorim's vision. That doesn't give him a free pass. United cannot lose as regularly as last season, but no one's expecting a top-four finish, either. I think there will be clear signs of his ideas coming together this term, but there will be forgettable days too.

Who will be Man Utd's best player this season not named Bruno Fernandes?

Matheus Cunha or Bryan Mbeumo is the safe bet. They should (emphasis on the should) be the least risky signings United have made in a long time. Mbeumo will provide more goals, while Cunha is already connecting to the fans with his maverick personality. That said, I back Patrick Dorgu and Leny Yoro to enjoy very fruitful campaigns. Amorim has two stars there. I'm aware I've named four players there... Cunha it is - with the help of his blossoming connection with Bruno Fernandes.

Charlie Malam

Where will Man Utd finish in the Premier League?

Seventh or eighth, which to be honest would be a pretty good season for this current iteration of Man United. This team needs to gain some experience of building winning runs. Even with their new-look attack, there are still holes in the squad and some questions about Ruben Amorim's tactics. But United will be back in Europe for 2026-27 I think.

Will Ruben Amorim still be in charge by 2026?

Yes. Despite those questions against him, I still believe United will improve sufficiently to the point sacking Amorim won't be a real conversation at any point this season. But after INEOS then spend big again in the summer of 2026, that's when the Portuguese boss will have to really start showing he can be an elite coach.

Who will be Man Utd's best player this season not named Bruno Fernandes?

I'm between either Leny Yoro, provided he stays fit, and Patrick Dorgu. There's a reason why so many clubs wanted the very talented Yoro and he looks to have bulked up a bit over the summer. Dorgu will be pivotal to United's system and I really like the look of him.

Archie Griggs

Where will Man Utd finish in the Premier League?

United are still nowhere near good enough to challenge for a top-four place, even after their busy summer window. I can see them finishing mid-table again. If everything clicks, they could make it into the top half but they lack enough quality to trouble the main contenders.

Will Ruben Amorim still be in charge by 2026?

I hope so! He is a good manager and needs time to get the best from the players at his disposal. Sacking him would achieve very little with most of United's problems coming from the boardroom, not the dugout. That said, they have backed him heavily this summer and he is under pressure to deliver.

Who will be Man Utd's best player this season not named Bruno Fernandes?

I can see Matheus Cunha having a very good season for United. He was brilliant in a poor Wolves side last season and should improve with slightly better players around him. I think he will thrive under the added pressure, rather than shying away from it, and can see him becoming a fan favourite.

Jack McEachen

Where will Man Utd finish in the Premier League?

Sixth. Having no European football at all will be a huge help compared to the likes of Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace. The recruitment has been United's best in many years and they should bounce back, but still are some way off the rest of the Premier League's elite.

Will Ruben Amorim still be in charge by 2026?

Yes. He has been financially backed and not letting him see out this campaign would be deemed as another disaster for INEOS. Ruben Amorim will know he needs to get his team performing though, there are very few excuses remaining...

Who will be Man Utd's best player this season not named Bruno Fernandes?

Bryan Mbeumo. Only Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland scored more goals than him last season. He knows the league and will continue in the same role for a team expected to enjoy more possession than he is used to. He may strike up a fruitful partnership with Bruno Fernandes.

Charlie Gordon

Where will Man Utd finish in the Premier League?

7th. Things will improve from last season - they have to. They're not ready to challenge the Liverpools or the Arsenals of this world but I expect them to be in a scrap with clubs like Newcastle, Aston Villa and Tottenham for the lesser European spots.

Will Ruben Amorim still be in charge by 2026?

Yes. All he needs to do is show improvement, and fortunately for him, the bar is set very low indeed. Amorim is a good, young manager who works well with individuals and sticks to a clear set of principles - there's plenty to like about that and United should give him every chance to work things out.

Who will be Man Utd's best player this season not named Bruno Fernandes?

Matthijs De Ligt seemed to enjoy playing in Amorim's back-three last season. He's settled in England and coming into the prime years of his career. I think this is the time he becomes a leader and a key man for United.

Amos Murphy

Where will Man Utd finish in the Premier League?

Where should they finish, or where will they finish? After another summer of spending big, anything other than a top-six finish should be considered a monumental disaster. But with United in recent years, they've somehow managed to make mediocrity fashionable, and you wouldn't bet against another mid-table finish this time around.

Will Ruben Amorim still be in charge by 2026?

No. It's a well-told tale by now, with the outcome almost always the same as well. Whether Ruben Amorim is able to buck that trend or not will depend on how United's owners interpret progress. They're nowhere near challenging the Premier League's big-hitters, and if they expect to be in the mix, the Red Devils will be left disappointed. The only way Amorim is still here in 2027 is if there's a change of strategy, which would require them to show signs of patience. But in the cutthroat world of elite-level (loosely speaking) football, that's probably wishful thinking.

Who will be Man Utd's best player this season not named Bruno Fernandes?

The bar isn't particularly high, is it? That being said, it's hard to look away from the two Premier League-proven signings United have made this season in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. In truth, it's likely to be Mbeumo, who could've probably held out for an offer higher up the Premier League table. The good thing for United fans is the pair of them seem to know where the goal is - something that hasn't been able to be said about their attackers in recent years.

Fraser Watson

Where will Man Utd finish in the Premier League?

Sixth. Manchester United will be stronger this season. While pre-season performances can be misleading, the early signs are that Ruben Amorim's team is finally starting to adapt to the 3-4-3 system he's so adamant about. However, any United fans expecting a Premier League or even a top-four challenge are wildly optimistic. There are still areas to address, particularly in central midfield. The jury is out on how Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko adapt to the frenzied scrutiny that comes with playing for the club. A sixth-place finish is a realistic goal; anything higher would signify a bonus.

Will Ruben Amorim still be in charge by 2026?

Yes. For all the talk of a long-term project, modern-day football rarely allows for time, especially when you are in charge at Old Trafford. Amorim needs results this season, and he won't survive another bottom-half finish. A top-half finish and a domestic cup final would signify progress. His team has to improve in 2025/26, and should do sufficiently to ensure he'll still be in charge this time next year.

Who will be Man Utd's best player this season not named Bruno Fernandes?

Kobbie Mainoo. Given Casemiro's waning powers and Manuel Ugarte's struggles, United fans could really use Mainoo as the answer to this question. If we see the pre-Euro 2024 version of the holding midfielder, it will be a key factor in enabling Fernandes and co to flourish going forward. Perhaps it is blindly faithful to back Mainoo to overcome the fatigue and form that seemed to plague him last season and shine again. If so, Amad staying injury-free should allow him to finally fulfil his undoubted potential on a regular basis.

Sam Smith

Where will Man Utd finish in the Premier League?

Fifth. With no European football as a distraction, there is no excuse for another negative season at Old Trafford. A fifth-placed finish, and some excellent results along the way, would mark a drastic improvement. It may even seal Champions League football for 2026-27.

Will Ruben Amorim still be in charge by 2026?

Yes. If Amorim is not in charge at the start of 2026, then something very, very bad has happened. United have invested huge resources into a team that suits the Portuguese coach's formation and way of working. For that to be blown up so soon would mean United have been even worse than last season.

Who will be Man Utd's best player this season not named Bruno Fernandes?

Patrick Dorgu. United have already made better use of their wing-backs during pre-season. Dorgu was bright in the final months of last season and looks prepared to start contributing strong numbers in the final third next term.