Ally McCoist has dropped his clear-cut verdict on where he expects Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United side to finish in the Premier League table next season.
Erik ten Hag endured a tough second season at Old Trafford, with the Manchester United manager’s first team ravaged by injuries over the course of the campaign.
United ended last season in their worst league finish in the Premier League era, with Ten Hag’s men only managing eighth place in the league table.
However, the Red Devils were able to secure Europa League football for the 2024/25 campaign after their FA Cup final win over Manchester City at Wembley in May.
United returned to action on Saturday for the Community Shield and Ten Hag’s side suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Manchester City at Wembley.
Ten Hag has now turned his attention to the start of the 2024-25 Premier League season, with United to host Fulham in their opening match at Old Trafford on Friday.
McCoist makes Premier League prediction
Erik ten Hag will take charge of Manchester United for his third season after the 54-year-old Dutchman inked a new contract extension this summer.
The former Ajax boss will be keen to turn around United’s Premier League form in the upcoming season after a lacklustre 2023/24 campaign.
Ten Hag has seen a shake-up in his coaching staff at Old Trafford, including Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake arriving as assistant managers for the Red Devils.
Speaking on talkSPORT on Tuesday, Ally McCoist revealed that he expects United to climb back into the top four and finish fourth in the upcoming season.
The 61-year-old Rangers legend also insisted that the 2024/25 Premier League campaign has to be a “massive season” for Marcus Rashford.
“I have gone for Manchester United. I just don’t know what to expect from Chelsea,” McCoist said.
“I don’t know what I am going to get from Chelsea. I think United will certainly be busy between now and the end of the month, bringing a couple in.
“I think they have got to get Luke Shaw fit, I think it’s a massive season for the likes of Rashford, [Rasmus] Hojlund will get fit, he will need somebody to help him.”
Shaw unfortunately is already injured, set to miss the first three games of the new season.
Rashford must step up for Man Utd
Marcus Rashford secured regular playing time during the United pre-season tour after missing out on England’s Euro 2024 campaign in Germany.
Former England manager Gareth Southgate snubbed Rashford from the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 squad after the United star’s form fell off a cliff last season.
Rashford underwent a career resurgence in Ten Hag’s debut season at Old Trafford, with the United forward scoring 17 times in 35 Premier League appearances.
The 26-year-old England international found the back of the net 30 times in 56 matches across all competitions in the 2022-23 season.
However, Rashford struggled for form and consistency last season, with the Three Lions star scoring only seven times in 33 Premier League appearances.
The United forward only managed to find the back of the net eight times in 43 matches across all competitions in the 2023-24 season.
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