Manchester United Europa League and Conference League reality explained after Spurs loss

Manchester United watched as rivals Manchester City cruised to yet another title on Tuesday as they faced a very different challenge in front of them.

Tottenham’s defeat to the champions does not affect United’s chances in European football, given that they could not be caught in fifth place. However, they could secure Europa League football depending on how they do in their final two games.

Instead, United could miss out on European football for the first time in a decade if they lose to Newcastle on Wednesday and Brighton on Sunday. Erik ten Hag is fighting for his job at Old Trafford and two more defeats and no European football would certainly bode ill for the Dutchman.

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Here are the permutations for European qualification in either the Europa League or the Europa Conference League.

For the 6th

For United to finish sixth, they need to pick up at least four points from their remaining two games. If they win one and draw the other, they can finish sixth if Newcastle (sixth) and Chelsea (seventh) lose both of their remaining games.

Also, if United win both of their final games and Chelsea and Newcastle manage to pick up just two points in theirs, United will secure sixth place and guaranteed Europa League football.

For the 7th

If United want to try and earn a place in the top seven, then they need to pick up at least four points and hope that Chelsea lose both of their games. If United win both games and Newcastle beat Brentford on the final day, then they will be locked in seventh place should Chelsea pick up just two points.

Lose

In simple terms, if United fail to win any of their games, they are guaranteed to miss out on the top seven. Even a win and a loss won’t be enough due to their poor return on goal difference compared to Chelsea and Newcastle. Four points for United is a must.

In the worst-case scenario of United losing both games, they could move up to 10th if West Ham shock Manchester City on the final day and Brighton win both of their games. However, United could finish outside the top seven and still win Champions League football…

FA Cup

That’s because the winners of the FA Cup are offered a place in the Europa League. If United finish below seventh but win the cup, then they will gain access, while the seventh-placed side miss out on European football altogether.

Should Manchester City win the cup, then because they are in the Champions League, the ticket to the Europa League will be handed to sixth place – which is why if United finish sixth, they will be guaranteed Europa League football.

Meanwhile, the winners of the League Cup earn qualification for the Europa Conference League play-offs. With winners Liverpool having secured Champions League qualification, the gift is then handed to the next highest club not to qualify in Europe by their league position.

So if City won the cup and United finished seventh, they would be playing Europa Conference League football next season. However, if United win it and finish seventh, then the sixth place will play in the Conference League.

fixation

United host Newcastle on Wednesday before traveling to Brighton on the final day of the league season ahead of the FA Cup final six days later.

Chelsea close the season against Brighton and Bournemouth with Newcastleafter United, traveling to Brentford on the final day. West Ham play City at the Etihad Stadium while Brighton to play the aforementioned Chelsea ahead of United to end their campaign.