MERSEYSIDE — Former England striker Michael Owen named Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United as the only teams capable of leading the Premier League title race in the 2026/27 season, excluding Liverpool from his list of contenders.

Owen, who previously played for Liverpool, said the club would need to significantly raise their level to compete. "Liverpool will hope to challenge, but they need to get everything right to do so and I'm not sure they are there just yet," he said. Manchester United finished third in the Premier League last season and have improved since Michael Carrick took permanent control of the club following Ruben Amorim's departure earlier in the campaign.

Speaking about United's trajectory under Carrick, Owen said: "You look at their form since he arrived and it's definitely one of a title contender."

Owen also addressed one of the other contenders heading into next season. "They ran Arsenal very close this season and have a good group of young players who have shown will be in a title race next season and with two domestic cups, they will come back stronger," he said.

Manchester City are preparing for a change in management, with Pep Guardiola set to leave his role after ten years at the club. City are reportedly moving towards appointing Enzo Maresca as Guardiola's successor. Carrick was appointed on a permanent basis after Amorim left the club during the season, with United's improved form under his management contributing to their third-place finish.