Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has already decided who he thinks will win the 2026-27 Premier League Player of the Season award. The new campaign gets underway on Friday night as reigning champions Arsenal host newly-promoted Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium.

Despite the Gunners boasting a world-class team, though, with many – including the supercomputer – believing they are favourites to retain their title, Keane has snubbed all of Mikel Arteta’s squad when naming who he thinks will be the standout player of the new season.

That could be an insight into a baffling prediction that the north Londoners fail to live up to the hype and surrender their grip on English football in an unlikely scenario given the rest of the traditional big six navigate transition periods, or rather a reflection of the fact Arsenal doesn’t rely on one standout player to achieve more silverware.

Either way, Keane’s latest guesswork could cause a bit of a stir – though that should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with a pundit who would much rather criticise unless he sees something particularly special.

Roy Keane’s Prediction For 2026/27 Premier League Player of the Season

REUTERS/Toby Melville

There is still a lot of uncertainty around Man United heading into the campaign. While Michael Carrick has done an incredible job at plastering over the cracks left behind by the likes of Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim to guide the Red Devils back into the Champions League with a third-placed finish.

Juggling more than just one match a week could cost the retired midfielder this time around as the honeymoon period gives way to a much more serious leg of his managerial career. One constant, however, will be that of captain Bruno Fernandes and his ability to perform in a team of any level and still be the hero, with Keane tipping him to win Player of the Season once again. Watch his full predictions below:

During the segment with The Overlap podcast, he also says he thinks Arsenal will win the league, Erling Haaland will inevitably win the Golden Boot, Newcastle and Fulham will struggle, and Tottenham will overachieve after a summer of huge spending.

He had to be asked twice about who will earn Player of the Season, but eventually turned to the Red Devils’ captain, though perhaps through gritted teeth, while mentioning that the Portugal international should do well if United can keep their defence in check – a nod towards the fact Fernandes had to track back a lot last term when he’s primarily a forward-thinking player.

Bruno Fernandes Looking To Replicate Record-Breaking 2025/26

via Reuters

Last season, Fernandes smashed the Premier League’s assist record by registering 21, beating Thierry Henry’s previous high of 20. It was his best output campaign, but it came without any trophies to show for it. This time around, with a more settled squad, many believe he could find yet another gear to smash the record again.

Over the last two terms, no other player has come anywhere near competing with his 224 chances created, but now it’s over to the rest of his teammates to get on his level if Carrick’s side are to turn their promising start and turn it into a new golden era. Rome wasn’t built overnight, and there are no doubt still some cracks at Old Trafford.

Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha will be expected to up the ante in attack, new signings Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans will be tasked with making sure Fernandes isn’t working overtime in the coal face of the engine room, while the defence must stiffen up.

Manchester United could strengthen in two more positions once Carlos Baleba has joined from Brighton & Hove Albion, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Red Devils are closing in on the signature of the Cameroon international as they look to give their midfield a complete refresh for the new term.

A priority position for the club in the transfer market, Andrey Santos was the first to join from Chelsea before Michael Carrick’s side struck a deal with Aston Villa for Youri Tielemans.

Baleba will help elevate United’s midfield to another level after catching the eye with a number of big performances for Brighton ever since his move from Lille in 2023.

United have been active in the transfer market this summer and it appears that the arrival of Baleba will not be their last deal before the window closes for business on September 1.

Speaking on GIVEMESPORT’s Market Madness podcast, the transfer expert spoke about the possibility of a new left-back and attacker signing on the dotted line at Old Trafford.

“And then I think United will also get a left back before the end of the window,” said Romano. “They are exploring options. I don’t think it’s going to be Lewis Hall because at the moment Newcastle are not opening the doors, so it’s not easy at all unless there is a big change before the deadline. It’s a very complicated one.

Lewis Hall alternative

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With Hall now set to remain at Newcastle United, the Red Devils will have to explore alternative options when it comes to a new left-back as they plan for the future.

Jorge Salinas of Racing Santander has been linked with a move to Old Trafford following his performances that saw the Spanish club promoted to LaLiga.

The 19-year-old, who has been linked with a transfer to Barcelona, registered seven assists in 34 games in all competitions last term and it does appear that he will move on at some point in the future if he continues to excel.

While Racing want to keep him for the years ahead, sporting director Chema Aragon knows they will be powerless if a footballing “giant” makes their move.

“There’s little you can do if a giant appears,” Aragan said. “We value the assets we have, we consider them important. For the club, at this time, there is no other option than to try to strengthen the team and not weaken it by losing stars. The reality is that the club that wants him has to come along with an offer.”

Liverpool have held talks with Ibrahim Mbaye’s agent regarding a summer transfer to Anfield but a move depends on Paris Saint-Germain’s transfer valuation, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Reds have been rather quiet in the transfer market this summer for new boss Andoni Iraola despite such a poor 2025/26 campaign on Merseyside.

Agreeing a deal with Rennes for centre-back Jeremy Jacquet back in February, Liverpool have also completed the signing of Spanish winger Victor Munoz from Osasuna.

Further reinforcements are needed in attack, especially following Mohamed Salah’s exit, Hugo Ekitike’s injury and the possibility of Cody Gakpo heading to Tottenham before the summer window closes for business.

Liverpool are keen on signing Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain to upgrade their attack but agreeing on a fee has proved problematic so far with the French side valuing their winger at £130m.

Mbaye of PSG is also a target, with conversations with Jorge Mendes, the youngster’s agent, taking place.

Speaking on GIVEMESPORT’s Market Madness podcast, Romano issued a fresh update on Liverpool’s move for Mbaye and also claimed that the Reds do have more options on their transfer list ahead of the deadline.

“I expect also Liverpool to add one more winger to the squad, especially if Cody Gakpo goes to Tottenham,” said Romano.

“Mbaye is one of the names. It’s true. They had conversations with the agent of the player, Jorge Mendes, but at the moment it depends on the valuation.

Mbaye’s 2025/26 campaign in numbers:

via Reuters

If he does indeed secure a move to Anfield before the transfer deadline, Senegal winger Mbaye will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Sadio Mane at Liverpool.

Mane was a huge success on Merseyside as he contributed 120 goals and 46 assists in 269 games for the Reds as he helped them win multiple honours.

Mane knows that Mbaye is extremely talented, labelling him as an “exceptional player” during their time together at the Africa Cup of Nations at the start of the year.

“Seventeen years old and at this level, I think it’s impressive. He has a bright future ahead of him,” said Mane after Mbaye assisted him in a 1-1 draw with DR Congo.

“We will try to help him find the right rhythm so that he can help us even more, because he is an exceptional player.”

After the roles were reversed and Mane assisted Mbaye for a goal against Sudan in the round of 16, he said: “It’s a pleasure to give him a pass. I think we know each other very well.

“When I saw him, his speed was incredible. I just had to put it in front of him. He capitalised on the defender’s mistake. He scored the goal. We’re all happy for him.”