Premier League predictions 2024-25: BBC Sport pundits pick their top four

Steve Sidwell: United are a big shout for second but they could surprise a few people. At times it was a hard watch under Erik ten Hag last season but I feel this squad has grown, and with some shrewd signings like Matthijs de Ligt it propels them higher. Watch out for 20-year-old midfielder Toby Collyer – if given a chance he could be a shining star just like Kobbie Mainoo.

Karen Bardsley: Inconsistent last season and already plagued by injury, United are rebuilding. They have made some quality signings over the summer so expect to see some improvements, but they will still drop points where they shouldn’t.

Chris Sutton: I admire United for sticking with Ten Hag, whether it was part of the long-term plan or not. In truth, though, it is going to be difficult for them to make the top four. He has won two trophies in two years but let’s not kid ourselves that they are the United of old – they were thumped by Crystal Palace towards the end of last season and had some embarrassing results, so there is lots to improve on for them to even get close to the top four.

Stephen Warnock: I don’t see an improvement happening under Ten Hag. I don’t understand the ownership model because they wanted to change things and bring in a new way of signing players yet, with De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, they have signed two more who have previously worked under him at Ajax.

Matt Upson: It is going to be interesting to see how they line up at the back. I am not totally convinced by De Ligt, because I don’t think he is the most mobile. He might step up and do really well, but I am not sure if he is the kind of centre-back they need.

Danny Murphy: United are going take a bit of time to bed in because of injuries to players like Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hojlund. It means Ten Hag won’t be able to start working out this jigsaw puzzle he is trying to put together. It will probably cost them a few points early on, although I do think they will get better.

Troy Deeney: I actually think they have made a mistake keeping Ten Hag. I don’t think they wanted to, but I don’t think anyone else blew them away so they thought ‘better the devil you know’.

Joe Hart: The fact that they have backed Ten Hag now and given him some power is a real positive, and I liked it when I heard Andre Onana say that they are going to be taking more risks. That makes me feel they are actually going to play the way that Ten Hag wants to play, far more than they have in the past, and it looks like he is bringing in a lot of people that he knows and trusts from his Ajax days, when he had a lot of success.