Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Aaron Flanagan

Man Utd could be left with pre-season chaos after missing out on Premier League top four

A pre-season campaign of chaos potentially awaits Manchester United after their embarrassing draw with Huddersfield .

Scott McTominay's opener was cancelled out in the second half by Isaac Mbenza for the resilient Terriers, to give them a memorable draw in their final Premier League home game.

The result condemns United to the Europa League next season after Chelsea's win over Watford meant that the top four was officially unobtainable.

United are now likely to finish sixth, with Arsenal needing four points from their final two games to guarantee a finish above Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.

While playing in the Europa League is disappointment enough for United, also now have their pre-season plans potentially thrown into chaos by the fixture scheduling in Europe's secondary competition.

Mbenza scored the goal for Huddersfield to ensure it finished a draw (Action Images via Reuters)
Solskjaer has seen his side miss out on the Premier League top four (Action Images via Reuters)

If United finish sixth, they will require Man City to win the FA Cup - otherwise their Europa League season will begin on July 25.

Watford coming out on top in the Wembley final in May means that they will take the second automatic group stage place from the sixth placed team.

That would mean United's Europa League start date would clash with their pre-season tour plans, where Solskjaer was set to take his side to Australia, China, Singapore and Wales.

United might have to take part in the Europa League play-offs (REUTERS)
Solskjaer apologises to the Man Utd fans at the end of the Huddersfield game (PA)

United are still expected to play against Perth Glory and Leeds United in Australia on 13 and 17 July respectively.

But now the game on July 20 against Inter Milan in Singapore is at risk, as is the clash with Tottenham Hotspur, which was due to take place on July 25.

The fixture against AC Milan in Cardiff , set for August 3, should not be affected.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.