Ex-Premier League star’s 2024/25 predictions and final table is major red flag for Man Utd - The Mirror

Manchester United endured a nightmare campaign last year, but one former Premier League star believes it will get worse before it gets better for the Red Devils

Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has cast doubt on Manchester United's ability to regain their fear factor under Erik ten Hag and thinks they'll finish way outside the top four again next season.

The Dutch manager was on the brink of leaving Old Trafford last season following a dismal Champions League and Premier League campaign. However, a late-season resurgence, culminating in an FA Cup final victory over Manchester City, convinced the club's hierarchy to stick with the Dutchman.

United had approached former Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel and also made contact with Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna, but neither ended up taking the reins. Instead, United chose to extend Ten Hag's current deal at United by one year, which is set to keep him at Old Trafford until 2026.

Despite Ten Hag's impressive end to the season, Agbonlahor remains sceptical about United's prospects for next season. Not only does he think they will not be competing for major honours, but he has tipped them to finish in a similar position to the last campaign.

Speaking to talkSPORT, the retired Villa captain was asked for his predictions for United's next season. He said: "I think they'll do better, of course but will they get into the top four? I don't think they will. I think there's so much competition now.

"I don't think Aston Villa will too (make the top four). Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle are going to get better as will Chelsea and Spurs. I don't see Manchester United breaking into the top four.

"I see Man City winning it again and Arsenal as their closest challengers. If Liverpool hit it off with their new manager they will be in third place and I think Chelsea will really improve and they'll be in fourth."

When asked where he believes United will finish, the former England international said: "Seventh or maybe eighth again. They've given Ten Hag an extra year after looking at every other manager possible.

"From watching Manchester United last season, I didn't see anything in their performances warranting Ten Hag getting a new deal. If other managers were available and they wanted to come to Manchester United, they would have changed him this summer."

Last season, United legends Roy Keane and Paul Scholes both slammed the team as being far too "soft" in all competitions, reports the Manchester Evening News. United finished in eighth position last year, their lowest ever in the Premier League era. But in a statement released on the club's official website, Ten Hag said he and the board have agreed on a new vision they feel will see them challenge for major honours again.

"We must also be clear that there is still lots of hard work ahead to reach the levels expected of Manchester United, which means challenging for English and European titles," Ten Hag said when his contract extension was announced.

"In my discussions with the club, we have found complete unity in our vision for reaching those goals, and we are all strongly committed to making that journey together."

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