Harry Maguire has expressed his belief that Manchester United can mount a title challenge next season, but warned that their prospects of ending a lengthy drought will hinge on the success of this summer’s transfer window. United have not lifted the title since 2013 and have failed to mount a sustained, meaningful challenge since.
But they are enjoying an impressive run of form under Michael Carrick and appear set to finish as Arsenal and Manchester City’s nearest rivals this campaign. The benchmarks at the top have also shifted since the era when Pep Guardiola’s side were accumulating points tallies in the high 90s, which gives Maguire confidence that United can genuinely compete, and he urged the club’s INEOS hierarchy to back the squad with significant investment this summer.
“I feel like the squad is starting to look like something that is a strong squad. But this summer’s going to be big, really, really big. We need more players, we need better quality, we need players to come into the starting eleven.
“Looking at the Premier League at the moment, I think over the last few years you’ve obviously had Manchester City, who were really tough to catch, and before the start of the season, you knew you had to put a points tally together where it was some going to catch them.
“I think next season you look at it and I think we’ve got to be in the bracket where if we get the recruitment right and everything’s positive from now to the end of the season and we keep going on the curve there’s no ceiling to where we can reach. We’ve got to be in the conversation to go and win the big trophies.”
United splashed out £225million last summer, bringing in the likes of Senne Lammens, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, and the success of that transfer window has given Maguire the belief that a similar approach in 2026 could drive them further still, even with a more gruelling fixture list.
Liverpool clinched the title on 84 points last season, while Arsenal are on track for a points total in the mid-80s this campaign. United have narrowed the gap since Carrick’s appointment in January, though Maguire is left to lament a sluggish start that saw them fall out of contention prematurely once again.
He is resolute in his desire for United to remain in the title race come spring next season, having committed to an eighth campaign at the club.
“I want to win big trophies, I think that’s part of playing for this club,” he added.
“I always say football is about memories and you can create memories by having iconic matches, scoring goals, but the bottom line is you get memories from winning big trophies. I want to be part of that. That’s everyone’s dream.”