Manchester United welcome arch-rivals Liverpool to Old Trafford on Sunday for a gargantuan clash, where a good result would see the Red Devils clinch their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Nine wins from 13 Premier League games since the arrival of interim manager Michael Carrick in the aftermath of Ruben Amorim’s firing in January have completely turned around the season.
Manchester United sat sixth, just three points ahead of the bottom half of the table, when Amorim was sacked. Now, Carrick’s men are third, three points clear of Sunday’s visiting Liverpool.
More importantly for United, though, is the fact that finishing no lower than fifth guarantees a return to the Champions League after a two-season absence. Aston Villa are tied on points with Liverpool in fifth, but more importantly Carrick’s side have built an 10-point gap over sixth-placed Brentford.
With only four games remaining in the season, the stage is set for the Red Devils to secure that return to Europe’s top competition at home against their bitter north west rivals on Sunday.
What Man Utd Need vs. Liverpool to Secure Champions League Return
Things are pretty straightforward for Manchester United entering the weekend: Avoid defeat to Liverpool, and the Champions League will return to Old Trafford in 2026–27.
A draw will guarantee the Red Devils can’t fall lower than fifth in what remains of the campaign. It will also see United maintain a three-point advantage over Arne Slot’s still reigning English champions. A win would widen the gap to six points.
United could even secure qualification without playing a game.
Man Utd With One Eye on Bournemouth Result
Bournemouth are the only team with a chance of spoiling Manchester United’s Champions League dreams—but it’s highly unlikely.
In the absolute doomsday scenario that United lose all four remaining games, Bournemouth could finish level on points but edge United on goal difference. But this can only happen if the Cherries win all of their remaining games.
It would take nothing short of a miracle for Bournemouth to overtake United on the table. Andoni Iraola’s side host Crystal Palace on Sunday 90 minutes before kickoff at Old Trafford. If Bournemouth fail to win, then Manchester United will qualify for the Champions League regardless of their result against Liverpool.
It’s only a matter of time before United’s return to the Champions League is official. Although anything but a home win on Sunday against Liverpool would still be a big disappointment for the Old Trafford crowd, there’s still a good chance that the resurgent Red Devils are celebrating their return to the biggest club competition on the planet to end the weekend.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as What Man Utd Need To Secure Champions League Qualification vs. Liverpool.
