Xabi Alonso Admits Manchester United Are Still the Favourites to Win the Premier League Title This Season.
Manchester United have once again found themselves at the centre of the Premier League title conversation, with Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso reportedly admitting that Michael Carrick’s side remain one of the strongest candidates to lift the trophy this season. The statement would represent a major show of respect towards a Manchester United team that has spent several years trying to rediscover the consistency, confidence and identity that once made them the dominant force in English football.
The 2026/27 campaign represents a completely different opportunity for United. After finishing third in the Premier League last season and securing Champions League football, Michael Carrick enters his first full season as permanent manager with expectations significantly higher than they were when he initially took charge. United’s improvement under Carrick has generated genuine optimism among supporters, and several observers now believe the club has the foundations required to challenge for major honours.
For Alonso, who is beginning his own Premier League journey with Chelsea, the rise of Manchester United is particularly interesting. The former Bayer Leverkusen manager arrives in England with a reputation for sophisticated tactical football after leading Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title, but he also understands that competing against a revitalised Manchester United will be one of the biggest challenges facing Chelsea this season. The Premier League itself has highlighted the question of whether Alonso can transform Chelsea into title contenders while United attempt to challenge for the championship again.
United’s Transformation Under Michael Carrick
The biggest reason behind the renewed belief surrounding Manchester United is the transformation that took place under Carrick during the latter stages of last season. United endured a difficult period before eventually finding stability, and their improvement was enough to finish third and return to the Champions League.
That progress has changed the atmosphere around Old Trafford. Instead of entering another season hoping simply to qualify for Europe, United now have supporters dreaming about a serious title challenge.
Carrick’s biggest achievement has arguably been restoring belief. Manchester United have not won the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in 2012/13, meaning the club has gone more than a decade without the domestic title. United remain the most successful club in Premier League history with 13 championships, but their recent struggles have created a huge gap between their historic reputation and their modern achievements.
Carrick now has the opportunity to begin closing that gap.
The club’s summer recruitment has also strengthened expectations. Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos have been added to the midfield, while United have continued to reshape the squad around Carrick’s footballing ideas. Opta’s pre-season analysis identified United as a genuine outsider for the championship, giving them a 6.6 per cent chance of winning the Premier League in its simulations.
That figure may not make United statistical favourites, but it demonstrates that the club is no longer being viewed as an unrealistic title contender.
Why Alonso Would Respect Manchester United
Alonso knows better than most that a title-winning team needs more than individual quality. It requires structure, consistency, mentality and the ability to perform under pressure over an entire season.
Those are qualities Manchester United appeared to develop under Carrick last season.
The Red Devils have also entered this campaign with considerably more stability than several of their major rivals. Arsenal are attempting to defend their first Premier League title since 2004, while Manchester City are beginning a new era following Pep Guardiola’s departure. Liverpool have also appointed Andoni Iraola, while Chelsea are now under Alonso himself.
That managerial turnover could become an important factor in the title race.
United, by comparison, already have a manager who knows the squad, understands the club and has experience of guiding the team through the pressure of the Premier League. Carrick’s first full season therefore begins with a foundation that some of his rivals are still trying to establish.
This could be one of the reasons why the possibility of a United title challenge is being taken more seriously.
The New Manchester United Midfield
One of the most important areas of improvement for United has been midfield.
For years, the club struggled to control matches consistently. There were games in which United possessed enough attacking talent to win comfortably, but they often lacked the midfield control required to dictate the rhythm of difficult Premier League encounters.
Carrick appears determined to change that.
The arrival of Tielemans provides additional technical quality, passing ability and experience, while Andrey Santos adds energy and physicality. Carlos Baleba has also been strongly associated with United in the current transfer picture, with his potential arrival representing another major step in rebuilding the centre of the pitch.
A stronger midfield could give United the ability to control matches instead of constantly relying on moments of individual brilliance.
That difference could ultimately determine whether they finish third again or compete for the title.
Bruno Fernandes Remains Central to the Project
Another major factor is Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese midfielder remains one of the most influential players in the Manchester United squad, and his creativity could become even more important if Carrick succeeds in building a team capable of dominating possession.
Fernandes has consistently demonstrated an ability to create opportunities, score important goals and provide leadership. If United can surround him with a stronger midfield structure and more reliable attacking options, his influence could become even greater.
A title-winning Manchester United team would almost certainly need Fernandes to produce one of his best seasons.
The challenge for Carrick will be ensuring that the captain does not have to carry the entire creative responsibility himself.
United’s Attack Could Make the Difference
Manchester United also possess considerable attacking potential.
With players capable of playing between the lines, attacking space and creating opportunities in transition, Carrick has the ingredients for an exciting attacking team.
This is particularly important because modern Premier League title races are often decided by small margins. The difference between finishing second and winning the championship can come down to converting chances against defensive teams, scoring late goals and turning draws into victories.
United will need to become much more ruthless.
They cannot afford to dominate matches without taking their chances. They cannot afford to lose concentration late in games. And they cannot afford to drop points against teams they are expected to beat.
If Carrick solves those problems, United could become a serious threat.
Arsenal Remain the Team to Beat
Despite the growing confidence surrounding Manchester United, Arsenal remain the reigning champions and therefore deserve enormous respect.
The Gunners ended their long wait for another Premier League title last season and will now attempt to become the first Arsenal side in decades to successfully defend the championship. Current pre-season projections still place Arsenal significantly ahead of the chasing pack, with Opta giving them a 40.6 per cent chance of winning the title compared with United’s 6.6 per cent.
Therefore, calling Manchester United the statistical favourites would be premature.
But football is not played on simulations.
A strong start, good injury management, Champions League experience and momentum could completely change the complexion of the title race.
United’s task is simple: stay close to Arsenal for as long as possible and make sure they are still competing when the pressure reaches its highest point in the second half of the season.
Manchester City Are Another Major Threat
Manchester City may have lost Guardiola, but nobody should underestimate the quality available to them.
The transition to a new manager under Enzo Maresca creates uncertainty, but City’s squad remains filled with elite players. Their ability to compete at the highest level means they will almost certainly remain part of the title conversation.
However, United could see City’s managerial transition as an opportunity.
For the first time in many years, Manchester City are entering a Premier League campaign without Guardiola on the touchline. That could create a more open title race and give clubs such as United an opportunity to challenge them directly.
Liverpool Also Cannot Be Ignored
Liverpool represent another significant obstacle.
They enter the season under Iraola, meaning they too are adapting to a new tactical philosophy. That creates uncertainty but also excitement.
Liverpool possess the quality to challenge for the championship, and their attacking strength means United cannot afford to underestimate them.
The title race could therefore become a battle between several clubs rather than the traditional two-team competition that English football has experienced at various points during the modern era.
Chelsea and Alonso Have Their Own Ambitions
While Alonso may admire Manchester United’s progress, he certainly will not want Carrick’s team winning the title at Chelsea’s expense.
The Spaniard has arrived at Stamford Bridge with enormous expectations. His success at Bayer Leverkusen demonstrated his ability to construct a team capable of competing for major honours, although his short spell at Real Madrid provided a very different experience.
Chelsea’s young squad gives Alonso an exciting platform, but patience will be necessary.
If he can quickly establish his tactical principles, Chelsea could become another dangerous contender.
That makes the reported recognition of United’s strength even more significant. Alonso understands that Chelsea’s road to the title may require them to overcome a Manchester United side that is beginning to regain its confidence.
The Importance of the Opening Months
For Manchester United, the opening months of the season could determine whether the title talk becomes reality.
A strong beginning would immediately increase pressure on Arsenal, City, Liverpool and Chelsea.
United must establish consistency early. They cannot afford a repeat of the slow starts that have damaged previous campaigns.
Every point matters.
Every home victory matters.
Every difficult away game represents an opportunity to demonstrate that this is no longer the Manchester United of recent seasons.
The first objective should be to remain within touching distance of the leaders. If United enter the Christmas period near the top of the table, the conversation around Carrick’s team will become much louder.
Carrick Has a Huge Opportunity
For Carrick personally, this season could become the defining campaign of his managerial career.
He has already earned a permanent position at Manchester United after guiding the club back into the Champions League. Now he has to prove that his success was not simply a short-term improvement.
Winning the Premier League would obviously be the ultimate achievement, but even a genuine title challenge would represent enormous progress.
United finished third last season, and the next step should be competing for first.
Carrick does not necessarily have to win the championship to demonstrate progress. If United remain in the title race until the final weeks, improve their points total and establish themselves as a consistent elite team, the project will have taken another major step forward.
A New Era Could Be Emerging at Old Trafford
The most exciting aspect of Manchester United’s current situation is that expectations are changing.
For several years, supporters have talked about rebuilding. Now they are beginning to talk about competing.
That is a major psychological difference.
The club has the financial resources, global support, squad quality and historical pedigree to compete at the highest level. What has been missing is consistency and a clear footballing direction.
Carrick appears to be providing that direction.
The Premier League’s own pre-season analysis has identified this season as a potential opportunity for United to challenge for the title again, while current projections also recognise the club as a legitimate contender despite placing them behind Arsenal, City and Liverpool statistically.
Final Verdict
The idea of Xabi Alonso admitting that Manchester United are still the favourites to win the Premier League would represent a powerful statement about the changing landscape of English football.
United may not currently be the statistical favourites. Arsenal enter the season as defending champions, and projections continue to place the Gunners ahead of the field.
However, Manchester United have something they have lacked for years: momentum.
Under Michael Carrick, the club has rebuilt confidence, returned to the Champions League and strengthened its squad. The challenge now is converting that progress into sustained success.
If United can maintain their consistency, strengthen their midfield, keep their key players fit and become more ruthless in front of goal, there is every reason to believe they can compete for the Premier League title.
And if Alonso truly views Carrick’s Manchester United as the team to beat, his assessment would only add fuel to the growing belief around Old Trafford.
The Premier League title may still belong to Arsenal, but Manchester United are no longer simply dreaming about taking it back.
They are beginning to believe they can.