Manchester United will head into the 2024/25 season aiming to prove they can regain their status as one of the top clubs in Europe.
The Red Devils have failed to replicate the success they enjoyed under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, although current boss Erik ten Hag believes he now has them heading the right way.
Ten Hag has won a trophy in each of his two years with the club, giving him a decent platform to build from next season.
However, fans who attend matches and those who stream Man United games online will know the club is still far from where it was under Ferguson.
They will be desperate for new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to demonstrate his ability to deliver success, despite the Glazer family still retaining a significant portion of the club.
With that in mind, read on as we assess Man United’s chances of winning major silverware next season, starting with a trophy they haven’t lifted since 2012/13.
Premier League
Very few people predicted that Man United would fail to add to their tally of English league titles after Ferguson stepped down as manager.
The club was still viewed as a powerhouse in world football, but their reputation has taken a massive hit since the legendary Scotsman retired.
United have finished runners-up just twice since then (2017/18 & 2020/21) and will head into next season on the back of their worst-ever finish in the Premier League era (eighth).
They finished a whopping 31 points behind local rivals Manchester City and you would be hard-pushed to imagine them overhauling that deficit next term.
Given how far things have fallen, United must focus on forcing their back into the top four to secure Champions League qualification.
From there, they will be better placed to attract better players with a view to mounting a serious title challenge the following season.
Europa League
The Red Devils did not cover themselves in glory in the Champions League last season, finishing bottom of their group behind Bayern Munich, FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray.
However, the slightly calmer waters of the Europa League should allow them to start rebuilding their reputation in Europe next season.
United lifted the trophy in 2016/17 and reached the final in 2020/21, so they have a decent track record in UEFA’s second-tier competition.
Last year’s final was contested by Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen – clubs which Man United would traditionally consider to be below their global standing.
Despite this, the Red Devils cannot afford to consider past glories and must mount a serious bid to win the Europa League next season.
If United strengthen their squad and steer clear of injuries, emerging victorious in this competition should be well within their capabilities.
FA Cup
Ten Hag will probably have more affection for the FA Cup after guiding United to victory in last season’s final against Manchester City.
The Dutchman’s future at Old Trafford was hanging by a thread heading into the game, but he delivered a tactical masterclass to save his skin.
United have now reached the FA Cup final in each of the last two seasons and will be eager to make it a hat-trick at Wembley Stadium next May.
The nature of the competition makes it tough to offer predictions with any confidence, but United should be pulling out all the stops to retain the trophy.
Having won the FA Cup on 13 occasions, the Red Devils are now just one behind Arsenal in the all-time standings.
Drawing level would be a great way to celebrate Ten Hag’s third season in charge and offer further evidence that the club is heading the right way.
League Cup
United went into the 2023/24 League Cup as the holders but got no further than the fourth round after a dismal performance at home to Newcastle United.
Ten Hag has often picked a strong line-up for games in the League Cup, but a strong case can be made for him adopting a different approach this season.
United must focus their efforts on the aforementioned competitions and use this one to give opportunities to younger players.
This methodology has been proven to work in the past as it boosts the development of players who may not otherwise get chances in the first team.
Rotating the squad should also have a positive impact on player fitness by reducing the risk of key stars sustaining unnecessary injuries.
While United should not take possibility of winning any silverware lightly, they must take a more prudent approach to the League Cup next term.
The Final Word
Expecting United to mount a serious Premier League title challenge after a troubled season is a big ask, but winning the Europa League and FA Cup should be in their sights.
