MANCHESTER UNITED COULD end up playing in the Europa League if they finish fifth or sixth in the Premier League this season, though seventh place is no longer a possibility.
According to UEFA rules, there are three spots available for the Premier League — the fifth place team, the FA Cup winners and the League Cup winners.
However, with Manchester City set to qualify for the Champions League and having won the League Cup, another place for the sixth-placed team will become available.
The same rules do not apply to the FA Cup however, with the runners-up in the competition getting a spot in Europe if the winners qualify via another route.
So if Arsenal win the FA Cup, one of either Hull or Sheffield United will end up in the Europa League provided Arsene Wenger’s men finish in the top four in the league and thus, qualify for the Champions League.
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There is also potentially an additional place provided if the Premier League ranks in the top three countries in the Fair Play League, but with United well down the pecking order in this year’s Fair Play table, they are highly unlikely to qualify via this route.
Of course, they could also qualify for the Champions League without getting in the top four in the unlikely scenario that they win this year’s competition, as both Chelsea and Liverpool have done previously.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
(Manchester City’s League Cup win means there will be an extra Premier League space available for the Europa League)
So at the moment, it looks like a straight contest between Tottenham and Manchester United for the final Europa League spot, with the former currently two points ahead of the latter with six games each to play.
Neither side has an especially difficult run-in, with United having home games against Hull, Sunderland and Norwich, as well as away trips to Newcastle, Everton and Southampton.
Tottenham, meanwhile, visit West Brom, Stoke and West Ham, while hosting Sunderland, Fulham and Aston Villa.
Of course, Europa League football is a dubious honour — the financial rewards for qualifying pale in comparison to the Champions League, while the strain of regularly playing games on a Thursday has patently affected many teams in the past — and so, both sides may secretly hope to avoid qualifying for the competition.
However, there will be further incentive to win it next year, with the victors set to be given a Champions League spot for the first time.
Moreover, at least one United legend believes qualification would be good for the team. Speaking to United Review recently, Bryan Robson insists qualifying for the competition won’t have a negative impact on the club.
“In my opinion, people are completely wrong to dismiss the Europa League,” he said. “When you have been used to playing in Europe every year for such a long time, you get into that habit and always want to be competing in it, in any format.
“The club has been used to European football in most seasons, ever since the Sir Matt Busby days, and, certainly over the last 26 years of Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign, the fans have been accustomed to having European nights.
“Maybe the Europa League is not as prestigious as the Champions League but it still has some of the best teams in Europe who have just missed out in their domestic leagues. As a former player, I think it would be a great achievement to win the Europa League.”
You forgot to mention that you get nearly as many ranking points for winning the Europa League as the Champions League. If United wanted to keep a high ranking for when they get back into the CL maybe it’s in their interest to actually do well in that competition, not so much for the glory of it but to keep their ranking high.
I have heard rumours about that alright Sam but in my opinion they are only rumours with no basis. The UEFA TV rules are very strict around Champions League fixtures so any potential ties couldn’t be shown in the European market so I’m not sure how much money could be made out of.
Does any United fan care if they qualify for the Europa League? Spurs qualify every year and send a B team to play in it. United would be better off not qualifying for it and focusing on the league only next year.
Only problem will be that the Glaziers probably need the money from some European competition to service the clubs debt!
If moyes is gonna stay on then he needs to get good at rotating a big squad. Playing thurs night will force him to do that. The money they’ll get for being in it will be a plus. And there’s the chance they win and get back in champions league that way. It’s also nice to have something to watch mid week.
Don’t think united will win league next season. Only need to concentrate on finishing high in league and doing well in Europe (if they get it).
Since its inception as the Europa League in 2009, only 8% of English teams competing in the Europa managed to qualify for the Champs League the following year. 25% requalified for the Europa. 67% failed to qualify for Europe at all… It’s a poisoned chalice. If United steer clear, a blank season for a new look United under Moyes would be very beneficial.
If they get a Europa league spot well so be it , are the English clubs in the Europa league kept a part in the second round ties aswell , could be interesting if we met Liverpool
Bryan Robson is talking out of his arse, because he has to say that in case they end up in the europa. They would rather be playing in money making friendlies than in a 2nd tier competition.
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You forgot to mention that you get nearly as many ranking points for winning the Europa League as the Champions League. If United wanted to keep a high ranking for when they get back into the CL maybe it’s in their interest to actually do well in that competition, not so much for the glory of it but to keep their ranking high.
I have heard rumours of Utd playing super friendlys in the UAE midweek when CL Games are on…
Anyone else hear about this?
I’ve heard rumours that Rooney’s competing in the next Olympics.representing Britain in diving
I have heard rumours about that alright Sam but in my opinion they are only rumours with no basis. The UEFA TV rules are very strict around Champions League fixtures so any potential ties couldn’t be shown in the European market so I’m not sure how much money could be made out of.
They have millions of fans outside Europe so it would still be quite lucrative, I would imagine.
Mattew just a bit of craic don’t take it to heart buddy
Left a message on @journal last night for ya on Rooney thread..you obviously didn’t get it
Is it a love one?
It was a joke don’t take it to heart
No not into amphibians. .its concerning your hero Rooney
@jaymie (Rooney lover)
You’re right rupert it’s time I came out about the whole thing.i am in love with Wayne r
There’s hope for me yet!!
Just mind having the craic here and the slagging…there s a lot of touchy people on these threads who’ve poles shoved up their arses !
Sure if ya can’t have a laugh and a bit of craic.what can ya have
Seeing as how arsenal are playing Wigan in the semi-final I don’t see how they could get the runners up spot European place if arsenal beat them.
If Wigan beat Arsenal and lose final, they can get the runners up spot
Come on Wigan…
If Wigan beat Arsenal and finish runners up there won’t be a runners up place for the Europa. It’s purely if Arsenal win.
Hull could win the fairplay award and qualify
I really hope they do qualify for it.
Hull are third from bottom in the fairplay table – chances!
Table is upside down… changed the rules for Man U.. :)
The amount of weapons that united/liverpool articles draw here is unbelievable. Pity really.
Does any United fan care if they qualify for the Europa League? Spurs qualify every year and send a B team to play in it. United would be better off not qualifying for it and focusing on the league only next year.
Only problem will be that the Glaziers probably need the money from some European competition to service the clubs debt!
It has not been a Spurs B Team playing this year.
If moyes is gonna stay on then he needs to get good at rotating a big squad. Playing thurs night will force him to do that. The money they’ll get for being in it will be a plus. And there’s the chance they win and get back in champions league that way. It’s also nice to have something to watch mid week.
Don’t think united will win league next season. Only need to concentrate on finishing high in league and doing well in Europe (if they get it).
Spurs B team just happens to be the most expensive B team in club football. All last summers signings play Europa league. €100 million well spent!
Since its inception as the Europa League in 2009, only 8% of English teams competing in the Europa managed to qualify for the Champs League the following year. 25% requalified for the Europa. 67% failed to qualify for Europe at all… It’s a poisoned chalice. If United steer clear, a blank season for a new look United under Moyes would be very beneficial.
If they get a Europa league spot well so be it , are the English clubs in the Europa league kept a part in the second round ties aswell , could be interesting if we met Liverpool
Could be interesting alright.What was the score the last time the two teams met?
Bryan Robson is talking out of his arse, because he has to say that in case they end up in the europa. They would rather be playing in money making friendlies than in a 2nd tier competition.