Manager Harry Maguire has expressed belief that Manchester United can challenge for the title again next season, but warned that prospects for ending their long drought depend on a successful summer transfer window. United have not won a title since 2013 and have failed to mount a sustained and meaningful challenge since then.
However, they have continued their impressive run of form under manager Michael Carrick and look set to finish this season as Arsenal and Manchester City’s closest rivals. Benchmarks at the top have also changed since the days when Josep Guardiola’s side racked up points in the late 90s, with Maguire giving confidence that United can truly compete and urging the club’s INEOS hierarchy to support the team with significant investment this summer.
“I feel like the team is starting to look like a strong team, but this summer is going to be big, really, really big. We need more players, we need better quality, we need players to be in the starting eleven.”
“If you look at the Premier League at the moment, obviously in the last few years it’s been Manchester City and it’s been really tough to catch them and we knew before the season started that we had to build up points so that some guy could catch them.
“Looking at next season, I think if we have the right people and everything goes positive from now until the end of the season and we continue to move on a curve where there are no limits to what we can reach, we have to be in that slot. We have to be in the conversation to win big trophies.”
United spent £225m last summer bringing in the likes of Senne Lamence, Brian Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesco, and after their success in that transfer window, Maguire is confident they can take a similar approach in 2026 and make further progress despite a tougher fixture list.
Liverpool won the title last season with 84 points, but Arsenal are on course for a mid-80s points total this season. United have closed the gap since Carrick took over in January, but Maguire bemoans a slow start and once again falling out of contention too early.
He is keen to remain in the title race with United next spring and has committed to his eighth season at the club.
“I want to win big trophies. I think that’s part of playing for this club,” he added.
“I always say that in football there are memories. You can make memories by playing iconic matches and scoring goals, but the bottom line is that you get memories by winning big trophies. I want to be a part of that too. It’s everyone’s dream.”
