How Manchester United can still qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season
Manchester United are reaching the end of a topsy-turvy season that will be remembered for many reasons. Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho took charge at the start of the season and signed the world’s most expensive player in Paul Pogba from Juventus in a statement of intent.
Further, the acquisitions of Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Paris Saint-Germain and Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund bolstered one of the best and deepest squads in the league. A title fight was expected but the season turned out to be one filled with disappointments as United remained in transition with a lack of bite up front despite Ibrahimovic’s goalscoring exploits.
As a result, a stunning 25-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League saw the Red Devils make no inroads into the top 4, let alone the title. A lack of rhythm in their game, Mourinho’s distrust of a few players and some bad luck have made this season seem like an unsuccessful one.
This is despite the fact that Manchester United won the EFL Cup in February. Although labelled as title contenders at the start of the season looking at the manager at the helm and quality in the squad, finishing in the top four was the more realistic target. That realistic target is still achievable and all hope is not lost for the Red Devils in their quest for Champions League football next season. However, if they do miss out on top four, they still have a way of making it into Europe’s premier competition.
The Europa League route
The Europa League is currently United’s best bet of qualifying for the Champions League next season. The silver lining for Jose Mourinho comes in the form of a rule change at the start of the 2014-15 season that allows for the winner of Europe’s second-tier competition to enter at least the playoff round of the subsequent season’s Champions League.
The winner is given a direct group-stage berth if the Champions League winner qualifies for the tournament through their league position.
This season’s Champions League finalists, Real Madrid and Juventus, have already qualified for next season’s edition through their league position. As a result, a golden opportunity presents itself to United.
Also Read: UEFA Europa League 2016/17: Ranking the semi-finalists
The Red Devils are currently in the semi-finals of the Europa League and on paper, none of Celta Vigo, Ajax or Lyon should pose a serious threat, given the quality of Mourinho’s squad. However, performances have suggested otherwise and it still looks like a daunting task, but one that United should be able to overcome.
The tricky Premier League route
The other option the Red Devils have is to finish in the top 4 of the Premier League. They are, however, in a tricky situation.
| # | Team | Matches played | Points | Goal Difference |
| 1 | Chelsea | 35 | 84 | +46 |
| 2 | Tottenham | 35 | 77 | +48 |
| 3 | Liverpool | 36 | 70 | +29 |
| 4 | Manchester City | 35 | 69 | +33 |
| 5 | Arsenal | 35 | 66 | +26 |
| 6 | Manchester United | 35 | 65 | +24 |
Currently, Manchester United are sixth in the Premier League table after having played 35 games. As can be seen above, they are one point behind Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal and four points behind local rivals Manchester City, who are in fourth place. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are a further point ahead in third albeit having played a game more.
So, finishing in the top four is not entirely in United’s hands. If at least two out of Arsenal, City and Liverpool win their remaining games, then the Red Devils will miss out on a top-four spot irrespective of their own results.
Also Read: EPL 2016/17: Predicting the final Top 4; Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd or Arsenal - who misses out?
However, Liverpool are short on form and the well-documented effect of Sadio Mane’s absence means the Merseyside club are huffing and puffing to the finish line. City definitely look imperious but in this sport, and especially in the Premier League, nothing is as simple as that. Arsenal have recently shown signs of form but still lack consistency with the contrasting results against Spurs and United solid proof of that.
| Game | Opposition | Date | League Position (after GW 36) |
| 36 | Tottenham (A) | 14th May | 2nd |
| 37 | Southampton (A) | 18th May | 10th |
| 38 | Crystal Palace (H) | 21st May | 16th |
In the current scenario, United have two tough away fixtures against Spurs and Southampton before a home tie against Palace to end the season. In order to qualify via the league, Wayne Rooney and co. have to win all three games and hope for a slip-up from the teams above them.
While it does look like United have two routes to Champions League football next season, winning the Europa League is their best bet as it is still in their hands. Either way, Manchester United have a definite chance at Champions League football next season and the next fortnight will decide their fate.