Man Utd predictions 2024/25: Premier League finish, top goalscorer and season preview

  • Man Utd looking to bounce back from mixed 2023/24 season
  • Erik ten Hag handed contract extension by new sporting hierarchy
  • Squad improved by exciting new signings and smart sales
Alejandro Garnacho could emerge as a key player at Old Trafford
Alejandro Garnacho could emerge as a key player at Old Trafford / Zac Alalouff / 90min
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Manchester United are looking to bounce back in a big way in 2024/25 after a dire 2023/24 campaign was salvaged by FA Cup glory.

Prior to that day at Wembley and a surprise but deserved victory over Manchester City, United had slumped to eighth in the Premier League, their worst league finish since 1990.

But the club have decided to stick with manager Erik ten Hag, who has ultimately delivered two trophies in two seasons in difficult circumstances, handing the Dutchman a contract extension in early July as a statement of support and backing.

This is a first full season for United under the control of new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. A robust new sporting hierarchy is in place, with Omar Berrada now in his job as chief executive after being poached from Manchester City, as well as Dan Ashworth as sporting director and Jason Wilcox as technical director. INEOS bigwigs Sir Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc also remain close by.

There are changes afoot at Carrington as redevelopment work gets underway, although it has created some regrettable upheaval, while the tunnel area at Old Trafford has been revamped. There is even a new shirt sponsor in Snapdragon, adorning freshly released kits that have had fans purring.

United haven't gone mad in the transfer market, ultimately lacking the budget after playing in the Europa League more often than the Champions League in recent seasons, but recruitment has been solid and - arguably more importantly - not overpriced or inefficiently run. The club is managing to command reasonable fees for outgoing players too and the machine feels increasingly well-oiled.

All that is left is to see how things stack up on the pitch.

Here's 90min's season preview of Manchester United's 2024/25 campaign.


Man Utd's performance in the last five seasons

For United, 2023/24 was a weird split between success and failure. On the one hand, the league campaign was the worst in a generation. And yet, the season still finished with only the fifth trophy in what is now 11 years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. It was all the more sweeter the way it happened.

Kobbie Mainoo was also unearthed, with Alejandro Garnacho becoming increasingly important and the raw Rasmus Hojlund capturing the hearts of fans. Together, the trio are the core to build around.

Season

Premier League

FA Cup

EFL Cup

Europe

2023/24

8th

Winners

R4

Champions League GS

2022/23

3rd

RU

Winners

Europa League QF

2021/22

6th

R4

R3

Champions League L16

2020/21

2nd

QF

SF

Champions League GS; Europa League RU

2019/20

3rd

SF

SF

Europa League SF


Man Utd 2024/25 squad numbers

The biggest shirt number change sees Rasmus Hojlund swap last season's No.11 for the newly vacated No.9. Joshua Zirkzee has subsequently assumed 11, with Leny Yoro taking 15.

Academy graduates Toby Collyer, Harry Amass and Ethan Wheatley have also been handed new digits now that they have been promoted to the first-team.

No.3 and No.4 were later claimed upon the double defensive arrival from Bayern Munich of Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt respectively.

Number

Player

1

Altay Bayindir

2

Victor Lindelof

3

Noussair Mazraoui

4

Matthijs de Ligt

5

Harry Maguire

6

Lisandro Martinez

7

Mason Mount

8

Bruno Fernandes

9

Rasmus Hojlund

10

Marcus Rashford

11

Joshua Zirkzee

12

Tyrell Malacia

14

Christian Eriksen

15

Leny Yoro

16

Amad Diallo

17

Alejandro Garnacho

18

Casemiro

20

Diogo Dalot

21

Antony

22

Tom Heaton

23

Luke Shaw

24

Andre Onana

25

Jadon Sancho

28

Facundo Pellistri

35

Jonny Evans

36

Ethan Wheatley

37

Kobbie Mainoo

39

Scott McTominay

40

Radek Vitek

41

Harry Amass

43

Toby Collyer

44

Daniel Gore

46

Hannibal Mejbri

*Numbers subject to change before end of transfer window


Man Utd summer transfers

In

Player

Joined From

Fee

Joshua Zirkzee

Bologna

£36.5m

Leny Yoro

Lille

£52.2m + £6.7m

Matthijs de Ligt

Bayern Munich

£38m + £5m

Noussair Mazraoui

Bayern Munich

£13m + £4m

Out

Player

Club Joined

Fee

Alvaro Fernandes Carreras

Benfica

£5m + £2.5m

Tom Huddlestone

Retired

-

Charlie McNeill

Sheffield Wednesday

Free transfer

Raphael Varane

Como

Free transfer

Shola Shoretire

PAOK

Free transfer

Anthony Martial

Unattached

Free transfer

Brandon Williams

Unattached

Free transfer

Omari Forson

Monza

Free transfer

Donny van de Beek

Girona

£420,600 + £7.2m

Willy Kambwala

Villarreal

£4.6m + £5.1m

Mason Greenwood

Marseille

£26.6m

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

West Ham

£15m


Man Utd 2024/25 kits

Home kit


Away kit


Third kit


Man Utd predicted top goalscorer

Rasmus Hjlund
Rasmus Hojlund will be targeting 20 goals / Kevork Djansezian/GettyImages

He's starting the campaign injured after suffering a minor hamstring problem during pre-season, but Rasmus Hojlund will be looking to substantially build on the 16 goals across all competitions he registered during his debut campaign in 2023/24. The Dane has proven himself a deadly penalty area finisher but is just seeking consistency. He will score plenty with good service.

Marcus Rashford will also be hoping to bounce back from a sub-par season. The home-grown hero only managed eight in all competitions a year after plundering 30. He's gone over 20 in three of the last five seasons and probably needs an early confidence boost to set him on his way.


Man Utd predicted Premier League finish

Getting back into the Champions League, both for next season and consistently in the future, is absolutely crucial for United, both in terms of the revenue it brings and the attraction for better prospective signings and more lucrative corporate partners.

This is very much another rebuild and there is still some way to go before realistically challenging Manchester City and Arsenal over the course of a full Premier League season. But re-cracking the top four and at least getting close to Liverpool is the minimum expectation. It's very doable.

Man Utd 2024/25 Premier League prediction - 4th


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