Champions League: How Liverpool and Man City Could Help Man United Qualify Next Season

Champions League: How Liverpool and Man City Could Help Man United Qualify Next Season

Fred Kennedy
updated at February 13, 2024 at 10:51 AM
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  • Manchester United are facing the prospect of missing out on Champions League qualification
  • However, rivals Liverpool and Manchester City could help them earn a spot in the tournament
  • The Red Devils currently sit sixth with 41 points after 24 games, six points off the EPL top four

Liverpool could play a key role in Manchester United's bid to qualify for next season's Champions League title.

United are facing a daunting task in their hope of sealing qualification for the European elite competition.

Erik ten Hag's charges have endured a mixed run of results so far this term, leaving them in danger of missing out on a top-four spot.

The UEFA Champions League trophy is seen prior to the UEFA Champions League Draw at Salle des Princes. Photo by Valerio Pennicino.
The UEFA Champions League trophy is seen prior to the UEFA Champions League Draw at Salle des Princes. Photo by Valerio Pennicino.
Source: Getty Images

The Red Devils currently sit sixth in the standings with 41 points after 24 rounds of matches.

While they secured a 2-1 morale-boosting win over Aston Villa over the weekend, they still sit a massive six points off the top four.

The current table has Liverpool topping the charts with 54 points, while Manchester City and Arsenal are level on points behind the Reds.

Tottenham Hotspur complete the top four podium with 47 points, a point ahead of fifth-placed Villa.

Going by the current trend, United are, therefore, unlikely to seal an automatic qualification for the Champions League next season.

How Liverpool, City could help Man United qualify

According to UEFA, the 2024/25 edition of the elite European competition will follow a new expanded format that will see four more teams added to the current schedule.

This would see English teams hugely benefit, with two of the additional slots going to the leagues that have performed the best across all European competitions this season.

This year, England had eight teams taking part in European competitions, but two, including United and Newcastle, are already out.

However, English teams have already amassed more points than any other country, thanks to impressive performances from the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal.

Given the current circumstances, whoever finishes fifth is likely to play in the Champions League next season, but this would also depend on how far the remaining six teams go in the European competitions.

As it stands, both City and Liverpool have proved strong in the UCL and Europa League, respectively.

Both teams won their respective groups, with the Reds touted as clear favourites to win the second-tier European tournament.

If that happens, and the Red Devils finish fifth, Jurgen Klopp's men are likely to have a hand in United playing in the Champions League next season.

The Mirror reports that playing in the European elite competition is extremely important for ten Hag's men, with the Dutchman under increasing pressure.

Girona could hamper City's UCL dream

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on how Man City's ties with Girona could hamper their Champions League chances next season.

Girona's dominant performances in La Liga this season has been one of the major talking points from Europe's top-five leagues.

The Blanquivermells are part-owned by the City Football Group, part of Man City's owners - the Abu Dhabi United group.

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Fred Kennedy
Editor - Europe Team