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Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has cast his predictions for the Premier League season, with big calls made concerning both his old side and champions Liverpool
Wayne Rooney has backed Manchester United for a return to the Premier League elite in their first full season under Ruben Amorim. It's not all good news for the Red Devils, however, as the club icon is also more convinced than ever Liverpool could become "unstoppable" in defending their crown.
United, who open their campaign at home to Arsenal on Sunday, are looking to bounce back after a disastrous 15th-place finish under Amorim last term, their worst Premier League finish on record. But after remodelling their attack around new signings Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, there is hope for a fresh start.
And Rooney, United's all-time record scorer, has tipped his old side to rise no fewer than 10 places to finish fifth come May. That was the prediction made when he joined Kelly Cates, Danny Murphy and Julien Laurens for a Match of the Day special edition preview ahead of the new campaign getting underway.
"I still think they need one or two more signings," said the Old Trafford icon. "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."
French journalist Laurens was quick to make light of Rooney's obvious bias given he made 559 appearances for United. The Red Devils face a Herculean task in regaining Champions League credentials, however, following back-to-back years in which they have set new all-time worst league finishes.
"Who did you play for again?" asked Laurens as Rooney and the rest of the panel could only laugh at his possibly rose-tinted view. However, the Everton academy graduate didn't allow his allegiances to get in the way of him predicting Liverpool would keep their hold on the title.
Not only that, but he feels Arne Slot's side are shoo-ins for the crown if they also add Alexander Isak to their squad. The Newcastle striker is involved in a standoff in the northeast after The Athletic reported the Swede is adamant he has played his last game for the Magpies, eager to see Liverpool make another offer after having a £120million bid for his services rejected.
"I already had Liverpool as favourites to win the title this year," said Rooney. "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 could only smile as the words came out of his mouth, though it wasn't an expression of joy. More so it appeared to pain the pundit to lavish such praise upon his old arch-rivals, no matter how deserved it may be.
It's a view shared by many commentators ahead of the new season, with Liverpool also adding the likes of Florian Wirtz and Huge Ekitike to their ranks. That being said, success may not come automatically to Slot's men after Crystal Palace beat them to the Community Shield.
Elsewhere, Rooney tipped Arsenal to finish as Premier League runners-up for the fourth straight season. And he backed Manchester City and Chelsea to fill out the Champions League qualifying contingent in third and fourth, respectively.
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