Taking look at how Manchester United can still qualify for UEFA Champions League next season

Manchester United, managed by Erik ten Hag, are now 11 points behind Aston Villa in sixfth place with seven games remaining in the season. But even with this seemingly insurmountable difference, the Red Devils can still advance to the following Champions League season.

England and Italy are now ranked in the top two by the UEFA coefficient method, opening the door for a second Champions League spot. Although the top four teams are usually guaranteed a spot in the Champions League, the new rule change may allow Tottenham or Aston Villa to qualify rather than Manchester United. With 60 points, Spurs are now in fourth place, one goal above Villa on goal differential, and they still have a game in hand over United.

How can Manchester United still qualify for the UEFA Champions League?

Even if the Red Devils wind up in sixth place, there is still a remote chance that they will qualify for the Champions League as per The Sun. This scenario is dependent on West Ham United lifting the Europa League and finishing in fifth place in the English Premier League. If David Moyes' team wins the second-tier European competition, they will play Bayer Leverkusen in the quarterfinals and might open the door for another English team to earn a spot for the Champions League.

This is significant since domestic league finishes, rather than winners of European competitions, determine Champions League positions according to UEFA regulations. Thus, regardless of league position, an extra Champions League spot would become available for an English club if West Ham were to win the Europa League.

Theoretically, if both the English clubs that win the Europa League and the UEFA Champions League are the ones that finish outside of the top four in the league, then a seventh-place result in the Premier League might qualify them for Champions League football. That being said, this situation is unlikely for the current season given that Manchester City and Arsenal are presently fighting for the title as well.