Man Utd Boss Boldly Stands Firm: "Why Not Win the Premier League Title?"
Manchester United's CEO Omar Berrada remains confident that the club can secure the Premier League championship within three years.
'Project 150' was unveiled to United personnel in September 2023, detailing a strategy to win the Premier League by 2028, aligning with the club's 150th anniversary celebrations.
United are recovering from a disappointing 15th position finish in the 2024-25 season, marking their worst performance in Premier League history—and their poorest overall result since being relegated from the top division after the 1973-74 campaign.
There was an opportunity to alleviate the disappointment through Europa League success, which would have also secured Champions League football at Old Trafford for the upcoming season. However, the loss in last month's final against Tottenham Hotspur means United will participate in only three tournaments in 2025-26.
A reduced fixture schedule without regular midweek matches might prove advantageous as Ruben Amorim attempts to implement his tactical approach on a team that has found it challenging to adapt to his specific system.
With a win rate of just 30% and finishing 42 points behind champions Liverpool, United have significant progress to make. Nevertheless, Berrada maintains that having a clear objective to work toward is essential for achieving success.
"It's establishing a series of targets within a timeframe so we can focus our efforts and energy on that goal," he told leading fanzine United We Stand.
"Can the team win the Premier League title by 2028? Of course. We've just finished 15th and it seems an impossible task. But why not aim for it? Why not do everything in our power?"
Amorim has previously indicated that United must set their sights on the Premier League title starting next season, as it demonstrates ambition, even while acknowledging it's not realistically achievable so soon.
"I don't want to think we need a lot of years to be competitive. I can't think like that, I cannot manage that, it's not in me. That's why I'm putting pressure on myself," he said in April.
"We are changing a lot of things inside the club and we know it will take a lot of time, but I will not say I need a lot of years. Next year is our goal. I'm not saying we're going to win the title in the next year, I'm not crazy. I'm saying I don't want this conversation that we need a lot of years and let's keep it calm. No, we are in a rush. We are suffering a lot for next year to be so much better.
"I cannot manage saying in four years, we still try something. For me, we will start next season. We need to be so much better because this is a massive club and I want to put that pressure on me and everybody here."
More surprising turnarounds have occurred in football history. Leicester City narrowly escaped relegation in 2014-15 before claiming an unexpected Premier League championship just one year later. Even Chelsea's most recent title victory in 2016-17 came immediately following a season where they finished 10th.