Manchester City's FA Cup final victory over Watford at Wembley has handed Manchester United a significant boost ahead of the 2019/20 season.
Pep Guardiola's side swept the Hornets away with a 6-0 win to become the first side in men's football to win a domestic treble in England, adding to their triumphs in the Premier League and Carabao Cup.
City's dominance has been difficult for United to watch this term, especially following a disappointing end to the season that saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side miss out on a top-four finish in the Premier League and qualification for the Champions League.
However, United have directly benefited from City's win over Watford as it saves Solskjaer's side from an extremely early start to the 2019/20 campaign.
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Had Watford beaten City, United would have had to start their season in the third qualifying round of the Europa League on July 22nd - which would have been a nightmare ahead of a gruelling campaign that lies ahead.
With City victorious, United will instead enter the Europa League in the group stages and will not have to qualify - with that spot instead going to the side seventh in the Premier League, Wolves.
The direct spot into the Europa League group stages is usually reserved for the FA Cup winners but in recent years the side who lifted the trophy has already secured a spot in either the Europa League or Champions League.
