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Can Man Utd reel in Arsenal within three years? Red Devils still ‘a long way short’, says former captain Steve Bruce on Premier League title hopes

Manchester United last lifted one of their 13 Premier League titles in 2013, when Sir Alex Ferguson stepped away. They have now gone through a 13-year title drought, but are the Red Devils edging closer to the summit again? Former captain Steve Bruce has given his verdict, warning GOAL that Michael Carrick’s side are currently “a long way short of Arsenal”.

Man Utd have brought optimism back to Old Trafford

After charging back into the top four last season and sealing qualification for the Champions League, a sense of hope and optimism has returned to Old Trafford. There had been talk of a possible title push ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

However, a disappointing 2-0 loss to newly-promoted Hull City on the opening weekend took some of the shine off that mood. United also went behind against Ipswich in their most recent match, but recovered strongly to claim three important points in a 5-2 victory.

Red Devils continue to spend in the transfer market

Fresh additions have arrived during the summer transfer window, with Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans brought in, while Carlos Baleba is expected to add further energy in midfield once he has fully recovered from injury.

There are still doubts over whether the Red Devils are solid enough defensively to maintain a genuine challenge for top spot, while Benjamin Sesko remains the only senior specialist striker in the squad.

It is clear that more work is still required if the club are to recreate the success of Ferguson’s era, especially with Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal having dominated domestically for much of the last decade or so, but are United moving in the right direction?

Will Man Utd win the Premier League title in the next three years?

Asked whether the English top-flight crown could be won again before the end of the 2020s, Bruce — who claimed three Premier League titles during his playing career — told GOAL: “Well, I have to be brutally honest. When I look at the business of Arsenal and how they've been running their ship for the last three, four, five years, they've certainly, in Mikel [Arteta], picked the one they wanted back, and they've certainly done that and they've been rewarded.

“I think what they've done in the transfer window, the two players that brought in improves them, which is always going to be difficult. So, you have to take your hat off to Arsenal. They are the ones to catch.

“Can Man U catch them in the next two, three years? That's got to be the aim. You know, when Fergie was trying to top off Liverpool, nobody could see it for a few years. Eventually, they got there, and I think that's always got to be the aim.

“Look, if you're Man United, you've got to be aiming to be the champions of this country. Full stop, that's the way it is. That's the demand of playing for Manchester United, and whether they're two, three years away, I still think they're a long way short of Arsenal at this particular moment.

“But last year, last summer, they improved their forward line. This year, they've improved their back line. So, let's hope they can progress and mount a challenge. Let's hope so. I don't think that's going to be possible, but certainly to finish in Europe has got to be a prerequisite if you're a Man U player.”

Man Utd fixtures 2026-27: Champions League and derby date

There could yet be further movement in terms of arrivals at Old Trafford before the summer transfer window shuts. Carrick knows he needs greater squad depth at his disposal if United are to compete effectively on multiple fronts.

Getting their first win on the board against Ipswich should help confidence grow in the red half of Manchester, with a trip to Everton up next before a return to Champions League action against Sabah and then a home clash with ‘noisy neighbours’ City in the first derby of 2026-27.