Arsenal are clearly the team to beat in the Premier League this season, but it is difficult to identify the club that will be their main rival when the campaign begins.
The Gunners have been one of the strongest teams in the country over the last few seasons and have worked hard to ensure that they can win silverware again. Now that they have become champions, they could go on a winning run, especially with Pep Guardiola having left Manchester City.
Manchester United Backed to Challenge
Most people would see City or Liverpool as the teams most likely to compete with Arsenal for the top spot in the 2026/2027 season, but Richard Keys has a different opinion.
The former BeIN Sports commentator believes this could be the season that Manchester United challenge for the league title again. He backs Michael Carrick’s side to be the main team competing with Arsenal, despite the strength of the Gunners’ squad.
United have done well since Carrick became their manager, and their progress has made them a team worth watching among Arsenal’s rivals. Their improved performances could give them confidence that they can compete for the biggest prize in English football.
Keys believes the stability United have gained under Carrick could be important as they prepare for the new campaign. He also feels that the return of Marcus Rashford could provide another boost to their challenge.
Keys Explains His Manchester United Prediction
Keys said via the Metro: ‘I think United because they’ve had half a season or more, they’ve settled.
‘I’m not an enormous admirer of Marcus Rashford but I think he’s a player and getting him back is a bonus.’
United will therefore enter the season with renewed belief after their progress under Carrick. While Arsenal remain the obvious team to beat, Keys believes United have the potential to emerge as their main challengers.
The Gunners will be expected to defend their league crown, but United’s improvement means Arsenal may face a serious challenge from Carrick’s side. Their performances at the start of the campaign will show whether Keys’ prediction can become a reality.
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Does anyone really care what Richard Keys has to say?
Only his daughters mate 😂
Yes, I think, it’s only Manchester United that will challenge arsenal for the epl. I’m very sure arsenal will retain their crown
Chelsea and Liverpool have new, very tactically sound, as well as good man managing gaffers. I would think more about them challenging us than MU.
I think Carrick did a fantastic job and can make Man U a “Top 4” side again, but don’t think he’ll win any titles as a manager. He doesn’t seem to have the inventiveness that it takes to win the league these days.
I’m surpised so many pundits think Man Utd can be strong on all fronts this season. To me United not only have questions of squad depth, there’s questions over the quality of their first 11, and manager.
Is there a sense the new penny pinching set up have been shopping in the bargain stores the past couple of seasons? Doesn’t their transfer business us they are not even interested in title challenging? Once, when Utd were a title challenging club, Bruno would have gone there, not to us. They weren’t even in for him.
Pundits and world of football need to stop thinking of MU as being a big club with big club mentality.
Chelsea are not in Europe; that could be a huge advantage.
The last time that happened, under Conte, they were champions in 2017.
So look out for them.
Born again a rejuvenated Keys after marrying a 31 years his junior. With or without Aljazeera he hates Arsenal