Manchester United are incredibly well placed to secure Champions League football this season. Sitting third in the Premier League with seven games to play.
Michael Carrick was tasked with getting Champions League football, a challenge which appeared far-fetched at the time as he joined a club in turmoil. However, things quickly improved for Manchester United, and now a return to Europe’s top table awaits.
United haven’t been a Champions League club since 2023/24, when it was an unceremonious group stage elimination. But this season, United are favourites to finish third.
It’s all in the Red Devils’ hands. But how can they guarantee Champions League football?
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Michael Carrick speaks with Matheus Cunha during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford in 2026 in Manchester, England.
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So, despite United currently sitting six points clear of Liverpool in fifth and seven points above sixth-place Chelsea, a lot of football still needs to be played this season.
Champions League football would financially boost United after two years out, and guaranteeing this is closer than you may think.
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In order to guarantee Champions League football, United will likely only need to finish in the top five, due to the English having a strong UEFA coefficient. But more traditionally, it would have been the top four. Here are both of these scenarios and how United can guarantee qualification in either case.
To guarantee a top-four finish
For United to be certain of finishing above Liverpool, who sit fifth, then the Red Devils need to attain a points tally which is above what the Scousers can mathematically.
Liverpool’s maximum possible points finish is 70, if they win all seven remaining games and get a perfect 21 points from 21.
United are currently on 55 points, and therefore need 16 points from the remaining seven games to be absolutely certain. However, Liverpool’s poor form means it will likely be easier than that.
To guarantee a top-five finish
The more likely option for the Premier League is the top five all qualifying for the Champions League, and to secure this, United need to beat Chelsea’s best possible finish of 69 points, which would take 15 points from the last seven for United.
The good news for United is that Chelsea are on a downward spiral, and the pressure to win five of seven, as it should be beyond doubt long before the final game of the season.
Where will Manchester United finish the league season?
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Michael Carrick clapping towards Manchester United fans
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Manchester United’s two must-win games in Premier League run-in
Seven games for United, and in truth, all are winnable when considering the results under Carrick.
But in particular, United will know that the games against both Chelsea away and then Liverpool at home are six-pointers, which could prove pivotal in this Champions League football race.
Chelsea play Man City next Sunday, which could see a United win over Leeds change the needed tally to just 12. This is before the two sides meet the following weekend, in which a win for Carrick’s side could all but secure a top-five finish.
It is within touching distance now; United just need to finish strong.
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