Wayne Rooney has predicted where Manchester United will finish in the Premier League and says Arsenal are not only ‘favourites’ but could ‘run away’ with the title.
The Gunners begin their Premier League title defence on Friday night against newly-promoted Coventry City.
Arsenal were crowned English champions for the first time in 22 years last season and look well positioned to retain their crown.
Mikel Arteta’s squad has been bolstered with the summer signings of Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis, and the norther Londoners are still interested in signing a new centre-back and another striker.
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Arsenal not only beat Manchester City in Sunday’s Community Shield but dominated Enzo Maresca’s side in a statement win ahead of the new season.
Rooney, a five-time Premier League winner, believes Arsenal could ‘run away’ with the title race given the uncertainty surrounding several of their potential rivals at the top of the table.
Maresca has a huge job replacing legendary manager Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium, while Liverpool are also under new leadership after Andoni Iraola was appointed following Arne Slot’s sacking.
Chelsea finished just 10th last season but are expected to improve under new boss Xabi Alonso, while Roberto De Zerbi is also preparing for his first full season in charge of Tottenham.
Asked where he expects Manchester United to finish this season, Rooney said on Stick to United: ‘I would take top-four. I think maybe fourth, I still think need to get two of three more players in.
‘You’re looking at Arsenal and Man City – Chelsea will be a lot better this season, Tottenham will be better. You’ve got Liverpool in there as well. So it’s going to be tough.
‘Arsenal have the potential to run away with it but behind them we could see a lot of changes. I think Man United will finish fourth.
‘Michael Carrick did fantastic to get Man United back into the Champions League. So not the club have to stay there.
‘I think it’s unrealistic to think they’re going to win the Premier League this year, I don’t think they will.
‘This period is so important for United to stay close enough to Arsenal who are the champions and will be even better this season, I think, with the players they’ve brought in.
‘We don’t know how Man City will do without Pep Guardiola or how Liverpool will get on but I think they will be better and Chelsea will definitely be better as well as Tottenham.
‘So I think this season will be more difficult and United need to make sure they stay around the top-four and stay competitive.
‘I think Arsenal are the favourites to win it but can United nick second off Man City and start to build again and maybe challenge for the title next season?’
Manchester United face Hull City in their Premier League opener on Saturday, while Arsenal begin their title defence against Coventry City.
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