Wayne Rooney makes bold Arsenal and Chelsea Premier League prediction as Liverpool feeling clear

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney believes Liverpool will have too much for Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

The Gunners travel to Old Trafford on Sunday on the opening weekend of the new campaign and Mikel Arteta will be intent on going one better than the previous three years. Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and Viktor Gyokeres have been signed by the Gunners this summer, while United have done a fair bit of business themselves.

United are desperate to recover from a woeful 15th-place finish last term, which marked their poorest Premier League showing. Yet with fresh signings Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha strengthening their forward line, there's a feeling of hope for a new beginning.

Rooney, United's record goalscorer, believes his previous club will surge a remarkable 10 positions to claim a fifth-place finish come May. He offered this prediction during a Match of the Day special edition preview (via the Manchester Evening News) alongside Kelly Cates, Danny Murphy and Julien Laurens before the new season's commencement.

"I still think they [United] need one or two more signings," stated the Old Trafford legend. "But I think you can see what Amorim is doing. I think it's looking better for Manchester United, and I think they will sneak into the top five. I hope they do, you never know."

Despite his Everton and Manchester United roots, Rooney didn't let his loyalties cloud his judgement as he predicted Liverpool would retain their title. Furthermore, he reckons that if Arne Slot's side manage to land Alexander Isak, they're a certainty for the crown.

"I already had Liverpool as favourites to win the title this year," Rooney confessed. "But if Isak comes in, then I think they're gonna be unstoppable.

"The quality they've got, as Danny's just alluded [to], and I think a big thing was replacing Trent [Alexander-Arnold]. There's a lot of chances created, a lot of goals came from that side. I think [Jeremie] Frimpong has got the attributes to fill that, so I think Liverpool look strong."

Rooney also forecasted that Arsenal will clinch the Premier League's second place for the fourth year running. He further predicted Manchester City and Chelsea to complete the top four.

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