Manchester United last won the Champions League in 2008placeholder image
Manchester United last won the Champions League in 2008 | AFP via Getty Images
Man Utd have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of Champions League football next season.
England have an unassailable advantage in the Uefa coefficient rankings after Arsenal defeated Sporting 1-0 in Lisbon on Tuesday night. It means the Premier League will have at least five teams in the Champions League next season, with Spain currently ahead of Germany and Portugal in the race for the other additional qualification spot.
United targeted a top-four finish when they appointed Michael Carrick until the end of the season, but now they know that fifth place will also be enough to secure a place in the Champions League. It gives United even more breathing room in the race, and here is how many points they actually need to be certain of a place in the top continental club competition.
Read More
How many points Manchester United need to secure Champions League qualification
Manchester United need 68 points to be certain of a place in the Champions League next season, though the required tally is likely to be even lower.
Michael Carrick's side currently sit third in the table on 55 points, with just seven matches left of the league campaign. They are one point ahead of Aston Villa in fourth, six points ahead of Liverpool, and seven points ahead of Chelsea.
It means that to be certain of a place in the Champions League, United must beat the maximum tally of the team that finishes in fifth place. Because Liverpool and Chelsea play each other, and Aston Villa also face Liverpool, there is no way all of the chasing pack can achieve their highest possible points totals.
The highest total a fifth-place side can finish on this season is 67 points, which means United must beat that to secure a place in the Champions League next season. That would require 13 points from their final seven matches, though it is unlikely to be that high either.
If you look at the current points per game for each side and use that to calculate the final league table, United are on course to finish third on 68 points, four ahead of Aston Villa on 64. Liverpool sits fifth on 60 points and Chelsea sixth with 58. By those estimations, 59 points might well be enough for Champions League qualification, as few as four points from the last seven matches.
Manchester United's remaining Premier League fixtures
April 13 - Leeds (H)
April 18 - Chelsea (A)
April 27 - Brentford (H)
May 3 - Liverpool (H)
May 9 - Sunderland (A)
May 17 - Nottingham Forest (H)
May 24 - Brighton (A)
GALLERY:Manchester United contract expiry dates with four stars free agents this summer
Continue Reading