Manchester United will be hoping for favours from Leeds United and Newcastle United in their bid to secure Champions League football
Manchester United are on the verge of securing Champions League football for the 2026/27 campaign
Manchester United are on the verge of securing Champions League football for the 2026/27 campaign(Image: (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images))
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Manchester United could have Champions League qualification wrapped up before playing Liverpool on Sunday, May 3. Third-placed United need to claim just six points to guarantee a top-five finish but it could be confirmed the day before, if a particularly specific scenario plays out.
Premier League action returns on Tuesday evening as Chelsea – who sit 10 points off United in sixth – take on Champions League hopefuls Brighton. United supporters will be hoping the latter claim victory even though a draw would see the gap from outside the top five become eight points as opposed to nine.
Bournemouth, who can also still leapfrog Michael Carrick's side, host Leeds United on Wednesday evening. Daniel Farke's side more than likely need to win in order for United to seal qualification before facing their rivals Liverpool the following weekend.
But even Everton, down in 10th on 47 points, would need to fail to beat relegation-battling West Ham this Saturday.
While in terms of the midweek games, Brighton beating Chelsea, with Bournemouth also suffering their first loss since early January, will mean nothing if United don't claim maximum points against Brentford come Monday night at Old Trafford. They remain on home soil the Sunday of that week with Liverpool as the visitors.
Even before a ball is kicked, United will have a place in the top five wrapped up as long as Brighton also lose to Newcastle on Saturday, May 2. Quite clearly, a significant amount needs to go United's way for this scenario to play out.
Considering their fixtures and the lead over rivals, United should not have to rely on other results, with victory against Brentford and Liverpool enough to confirm their place regardless, even if either Chelsea or Bournemouth win their next two matches.
The latter face Crystal Palace on the Sunday in game week 35, with that match kicking off 90 minutes before the huge clash between United and Liverpool.
Even if Carrick and his players cannot get the job done against Arne Slot's side, United face Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and Brighton in the final weeks of the season where a win against any of those would seal their fate for next season.
Bruno Fernandes reacts
Bruno Fernandes played a key role in Manchester United's win over Chelsea
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The 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last Saturday was a defining moment for United, given it is the Blues that sit in sixth.
Brighton and Brentford, two teams who follow them in the table, only getting draws over the weekend certainly helped United's chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League earlier than expected.
Bournemouth appear to be the team that could usurp any one of United, Aston Villa or Liverpool considering their recent run of form. However, they still have to play Manchester City and also make the trip to Fulham.