Joe Cole has predicted when he thinks Manchester United will next win the Premier League title after Rúben Amorim draws the 2024/25 campaign to a close.
Manchester United ended their 2024/25 season on a high with a confident 2-0 win over Aston Villa at a sun-drenched Old Trafford.
The match began with early pressure from the hosts, as Mason Mount forced two smart saves from Emi Martínez. Rúben Amorim’s side looked sharp and fluid in attack, creating several openings in the first quarter of an hour but once again struggled to find the net.
United kept pushing, and their efforts were rewarded just before the break when Martínez was shown a red card for a reckless lunge on Rasmus Højlund, tilting the game further in the Reds’ favour.
In the second half, United continued to control proceedings, with Højlund, Bruno Fernandes, and Casemiro all threatening. Villa briefly thought they had pulled one back through Morgan Rogers, but the goal was ruled out for a foul on goalkeeper Altay Bayındır.
With 15 minutes remaining, Amad finally broke the deadlock, heading in a superb cross from Fernandes. Then, in a touching final moment at Old Trafford, Christian Eriksen calmly slotted home a late penalty to cap off the season with a well-earned victory.
United were showing positive signs against Villa
Although United have confirmed that they will finish the Premier League season in 15th, former Chelsea player Joe Cole explained he saw two really positive signs from the club that they will be able to improve next season.
The 43-year-old explained that he felt United’s game against Villa was their best performance all season, and that when Amorim addressed the fans after the full-time whistle, he spoke well.
“What I felt from Manchester United was, one, it was probably the best performance I’ve seen for them in months, playing at this stadium,” Cole explained with TNT Sports.
“And two, I thought Rúben Amorim spoke really well, and I think that Manchester United fans will leave this stadium, there will be a good feeling.
“And going into next season, maybe bringing a few players in to excite the crowd. And I think it could be positive, but I think there’s a long, long journey.”
It could take United five years to next win the Premier League
Continuing, Cole explained that he thinks it will take United a further five seasons before they can lift the Premier League trophy once again, meaning the club may not be able to consider themselves league champions until the 2029/30 campaign.
“This isn’t like how Liverpool were when they were at their worst in between the eras. I think Manchester United have fallen massively,” Cole continued.
When asked how many years he feels until United could next win the league, he said, “Well, at least, and I’m being generous, at least five years before they’re challenging back at the top yet.
“And I don’t think I’m being sensationalist there. I think that’s quite reasonable from where they are. They’re 4th or 5th from bottom in the Premier League, miles off it.”
However, CEO Omar Berrada will be hoping it comes two seasons sooner than this, with the club aiming to have the Premier League trophy back at Old Trafford at the end of the 2027/28 season.
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