In spite of their 2-0 win against Brighton in the final game of the season, Manchester United finished 8th in the Premier League table after Newcastle United defeated Brentford 4-2.
However, there is still a way that Erik Ten Hag can lead his side into the Europa League. And that is if they can best their local rivals Manchester City in the finals of the FA Cup.
Manchester United’s last chance at the Europa League
🔵🇪🇺 Chelsea are qualified to Europa League if Man City beat Man United next week.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 19, 2024
5 Premier League wins in a row for #CFC, finishing the season 6th.
14 goals scored, 4 goals conceded in the last 5 games for Mauricio Pochettino’s team. pic.twitter.com/cHBm05OOJx
Chelsea have finished sixth in the Premier League to set themselves up in pole position to ensure that they make it to Europe next season. However, they might not be playing the Europa League in spite of their remarkable five-game winning run to end the season.
If Manchester United win the FA Cup, they will play the Europa League alongside 5th placed Tottenham. And in that situation, Chelsea will drop down to the Europa Conference League while Newcastle United will be without European football altogether.
Therefore, United have a lifeline to earn a European spot for themselves, but it is against a City team that hasn’t lost in open play since December.
