Manchester United's hopes of securing European football next season were dealt another blow on Thursday night following Chelsea's win over Tottenham.
United have endured a frustrating second season under Erik ten Hag and now face the real possibility of missing out on Europe for the first time in a decade.
They are currently sixth in the Premier League and saw their slim chances of securing Champions League football for next season ended on Wednesday evening after Borussia Dortmund's win over PSG.
Advert
Dortmund's victory means Germany will join Italy in having an extra place in the Champions League next season, with UEFA awarding them based on clubs' performances in European competition in the current campaign.
Fifth place in the Premier League will not be good enough for a spot in the Champions League next season, ending United's hopes of booking a place in the revamped 2024/25 edition of the competition.
There is still the possibility that United could end the season having failed to qualify for Europe completely, depending on a series of results happening in the final weeks.
Advert
If two of Newcastle, Chelsea or West Ham overtake United in the Premier League, and Ten Hag's side fail to beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final, the Red Devils will fail to qualify for Europe for the first time since the 2014/15 campaign.
Sixth-place United are currently one point ahead of seventh-place Newcastle, with Chelsea in eighth now only three points behind the Red Devils following their win over Spurs. West Ham, meanwhile, are in the ninth - five points behind United.
At present, the top four will qualify for the Champions League, fifth will automatically enter the Europa League with sixth set to join them or drop into the Europa Conference League.
Advert
For sixth place to be a Europa League spot, it would need the FA Cup winners to have not qualified for Europe through their league position.
United face City in the final on May 25 and if Pep Guardiola's side win that match, sixth place in the Premier League will qualify for the Europa League and seventh qualify for the Europa Conference League.
United would then need to finish above one of Chelsea and Newcastle to secure a place in Europe.
However, if they manage to beat City at Wembley, Ten Hag's side will automatically qualify for the Europa League regardless of their final league position.
Topics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference League, FA Cup