Wayne Rooney has given his predictions for the new Premier League season – and backed Manchester United to impress.
Red Devils legend Rooney, 39, is set to be more involved in the top flight in 2025-26 in a punditry role after he signed a £800,000-a-year deal to regularly appear on Match of the Day.
And, ahead of the new campaign beginning on Friday when Liverpool host Bournemouth, the 39-year-old was questioned on his thoughts.
Rooney picked Liverpool as his champions, and chose Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea to make up the top four.
But it was his shout for fifth place that made headlines, with the former striker choosing United despite their struggles last season.
Ruben Amorim’s side endured their worst-ever Premier League campaign in 2024-25, finishing 15th after 18 defeats in 38 games.
Wayne Rooney has given his predictions for the new season and backed Man United to impress
Despite their tough campaign in 2024-25, Rooney picked Ruben Amorim’s side to come fifth
They have since signed Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, while they went unbeaten throughout pre-season.
Explaining his feelings, Rooney told the BBC: ‘I think they still need one or two more signings but I can see what Amorim is doing.
‘It’s looking better for Man United and I think they will sneak into the top five. I hope they do and you never know.’
Elsewhere, despite his United history, Rooney appeared to be favourable towards their arch-rivals Liverpool.
Alongside naming the Reds as his choice for the title, Rooney backed Mohamed Salah to win the fifth Golden Boot of his career.
Similarly, when asked for who he felt would be the most important signing in the league, he named new Liverpool right back Jeremie Frimpong.
The Netherlands international, who was part of Man City’s academy as a youngster, joined the Reds from Bayer Leverkusen for £35million this summer, with the full back tasked with helping to fill the void left by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure to Real Madrid.
Elsewhere, it was also in his breakout star prediction where the Liverpool trend was seen.
Rooney also felt Liverpool’s Jeremie Frimpong would be the most important summer signing
Rooney tipped Reds wonderkid Rio Ngumoha, 16, in this regard, with the talented forward having moved to Anfield from Chelsea at the age of 15 last summer.
He was named on the bench for Liverpool’s defeat by Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on Sunday, but he has played just one senior game for Arne Slot’s side.
The final prediction Rooney gave was on which promoted team would perform the best out of Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland.
The 39-year-old backed Leeds, who have strengthened significantly this summer, to top the lot.
