Four-time Premier League winner with Manchester United, Mikael Silvestre, has shared his insights on the balance of power before the kick-off of the 2026/27 season.
According to the Frenchman, reigning champions Arsenal face a tough challenge to defend their title, with real competition expected to come from only two clubs.
Mikael Silvestre stated:
Defending the title might seem like an easy task for Arsenal, but you have to manage all the egos in the dressing room and keep everyone happy. The players need to realise that there's no time to rest. You must always be looking to improve the team and the squad.
Mikel Arteta has already proven he can compete with the best. Right now, he's the best manager in the Premier League, judging by last season. The main difficulty now is staying at the top, and that is incredibly challenging in the Premier League.
This season will see enormous competition from Manchester City and Liverpool. At the moment, they are the only two teams ready to fight for the title alongside Arsenal.
Patrice Evra's thoughts on Manchester United
Patrice Evra emphasised that Manchester United should not limit their ambitions to just making the top four:
When you represent Manchester United, you don't start the season dreaming about fourth place. That's not the standard set by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Evra backed the appointment of Michael Carrick, who has replaced Ruben Amorim:
Michael is calm, smart, and respected. He knows the club's history. If the hierarchy supports him, United can compete with anyone.
The new season kicks off on August 21 with a clash between champions Arsenal and newly promoted Coventry City from the Championship.
