Maguire: Man Utd can win Premier League title

Harry Maguire insists there is belief in the Manchester United camp that they have a chance of winning the Premier League title under Michael Carrick this season. 

Maguire is heading into his eighth season at Old Trafford and during that time, he has often experienced more incredible lows than highs. 

The 33-year-old has lifted just two trophies, the EFL Cup and the FA Cup, but he has also been a runner-up twice in the Europa League while also struggling with his form. 

He fell out of favour under Erik ten Hag but was brought back into the starting line-up by Ruben Amorim before going on to flourish under Carrick at the end of last term. 

After returning to the club in January following Amorim's departure, no team in the Premier League won more games (12) or scored more goals (33) than Carrick's United. 

That helped the Red Devils finish third in the table and secure a return to the Champions League, but Maguire believes that United should be aiming even higher in 2026-27. 

"We want to improve on last season. Everyone wants to win the Premier League, of course that is going to be our aim, that's what this club demands," Maguire said.

"We have the belief we can be really competitive, and we can beat anyone on our day. It's going to be an exciting season.

"During my time at the club, we've had some close groups – no doubt this is one of the closest. Spending time together and winning football matches brings teams closer.

"Losing that Europa League final, finishing 15th to finishing third and putting the club back in the Champions League, it was a good season, but we can't stop here."

United's opponents for their first Premier League encounter of the new season sees them travel to the MKM Stadium to take on newly promoted Hull City. 

The Tigers are preparing for their first top-flight campaign since 2016-17, and have gone about trying to remain in the division by signing several players over the summer. 

Hull have welcomed 11 new faces so far, headlined by full-back Nobel Mendy and goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis, with Sergej Jakirovic hoping to add more options into his ranks before the transfer window slams shut. 

One of the players linked with a move to the club was Everton's Tim Iroegbunam, though the midfielder sustained an injury in pre-season which has thrust the deal into doubt. 

"It's difficult because Tim is injured," Jakirovic conceded when talking to BBC Radio Humberside. 

"We agreed everything between Everton and the player, but in the last game he got an abductor [injury].

"It's a minimum of six weeks, so I don't know. Maybe we will take another player because we need players right now. We don't have time.

"We will see, but what I want now is a new player in this position."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Hull – Nobel Mendy

The Tigers have twice broken their transfer record this summer, and one of those was on Rayo Vallecano left-back Mendy, who impressed in LaLiga last season.

He ranked second in Vallecano's squad for aerial duels won (41), while only Florian Lejeune (316) made more clearances in all competitions for the club than Mendy's 163. 

Man United – Bruno Fernandes

Fernandes set a new record for the most assists in a single Premier League campaign last season with 21.

With nine goals as well, he was the first Man United player to be involved in 30+ goals in two different Premier League campaigns (also 30 in 2020-21).

MATCH PREDICTION: MAN UNITED WIN

United have never lost in the top-flight when facing a newly promoted team in their first game of the season (W9 D3), with this the first instance since 2010-11 when they won 3-0 against Newcastle United.

The Red Devils have also won their opening game of the Premier League season on 22 occasions, the most of any side. However, they lost 1-0 to Arsenal last season, last losing their opening in consecutive league seasons in 1972-73 and 1973-74, getting relegated in the latter.

So far in the Premier League in 2026, United have earned the most points (41), won the joint-most games (12, level with Arsenal), and scored the most goals (36), while only Bournemouth (one) have lost fewer games in the division this calendar year so far than the Red Devils (two).

Hull, meanwhile, are winless in all 10 Premier League meetings with United (D2 L8), the joint-most they have faced a side without winning, along with Chelsea (also D2 L8).

In their last Premier League campaign back in 2016-17, Hull conceded more goals than any other side (80). Indeed, they lost their last three games back then by an aggregate score of 13-1.

Hull City were promoted via the play-offs in last season's Championship, despite having the fifth-fewest shots (515), third-most shots faced (681), and second-lowest expected goals (xG) difference (-20.6) of all 24 sides in the regular season.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Hull – 12.9%

Draw – 19%

Man United – 68.1%