A quick look at how the pundits rate United’s chances in the upcoming 23/24 season
“Last season all three promoted clubs stayed up for only the fourth time in history. My bet is all three go back down this time. Burnley will be great to play against – wide open. Sheffield United are way short and although Luton might start well they won’t have the players to last a gruelling season.”
Richard Keys, BeIN Sports
“They’ll finish bottom. They have no chance”
Alex Crook, TalkSport
“A squad needing upgrades but lacking the funds to sign them points squarely to an undignified scrap at the bottom. Verdict: 19th”
FourFourTwo Magazine
“The formidable strength of so many clubs in the middle section of The Premier League means relegation appears likely for the Blades”
World Soccer Magazine
“As well as this famous old club played to get promoted, the squad as it stands does not look good enough to survive at the higher level. “
Ian Darke, ESPN
“The defence should be robust enough, with Auston Trusty – supporters’ player of the year while on loan at Birmingham last season – arriving from Arsenal for what has been described as a “significant, undisclosed fee” to bolster an already accomplished backline. Without Ndiaye and Berge, though, creativity and control are likely to be major problems. “
John Ashdown, The Guardian
“Perhaps there will be a flurry of signings after the season starts, but right now we have to pick them to finish bottom”
Daniel Storey, The i
“The good news for Sheffield United is they have a structure and system that can work in the Premier League. They’re perfectly fine not having the ball and they’ve showed the ability to defend, allowing only 0.89 xG per 90 minutes in the Championship and most importantly allowing the fewest xG off of set pieces.So, with a system that can work in the Premier League and an incredibly solid defense, they aren’t significantly worse than most of the teams in the bottom half of the table. So, I like the price on Sheffield United to stay up at +120.”
Brad Cunningham, Action Network
“To add to Luton and Sheffield United, I’ll go with Bournemouth to go down’
Jamie Carragher, Sky Sports
“At the other end of the table you can take your pick from eight or nine teams to join newly-promoted sides Luton and Sheffield United in the bottom three. “
Liam Prenderville, The Mirror
“At the bottom, it’s felt like Luton, Sheffield United and one other all summer. The Blades in particular seem to have settled for taking the money and rebuilding back in the second tier, selling both Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge “
James Whaling, The Mirror
“Luton and Sheffield United will struggle – neither have the financial backing to stay up. “
Michael Dawson, Sky Sports
“Looking at the teams and their budgets, I don’t think there’s any doubt that Luton won’t go down. Sheffield United are in turmoil off the field and will struggle to survive “
Adrian Durham, Talksport