Europa League

How can Manchester United qualify for Europe next season?

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 17 May 2024

How can Man Utd qualify for Europe next season?

Manchester United have two possible routes to secure European football for the 2024-25 campaign, and here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at them.

Manchester United will conclude their 2023-24 Premier League campaign against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon, before tackling Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 25.

There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a tough season for the Red Devils, but the club can still secure European football for the 2024-25 campaign.

As it stands, Erik ten Hag's side are eighth in the table, level on points with seventh-placed Newcastle United, but the Magpies have a plus 21 goal difference, while Man United's is minus three.

The Red Devils head to Brighton on Sunday, while Newcastle will finish away to Brentford.

Man United need to better Newcastle's result to claim seventh in the table, which would secure a spot in the playoff round of the 2024-25 Conference League.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag applauds the fans after the match on May 15, 2024 © Reuters

Man United have two routes to secure European football

The 20-time English champions beat Newcastle 3-2 on Wednesday evening to put themselves in a position to fight for European football heading into the final matchday.

However, all will not be lost for Man United if they are confirmed in eight position.

Indeed, the Red Devils can also secure European football for next season via the FA Cup, with Man City their opponents in the final of the competition at the end of the month.

Should Ten Hag manage to lead Man United to victory over Pep Guardiola's side in what might be his final game at the helm, then the team would qualify for the group stage of next season's Europa League.

Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring their second goal with Kobbie Mainoo on April 24, 2024 © Reuters

FA Cup final win would secure Europa League spot

If the Red Devils do win the FA Cup final, they would join the fifth-placed finisher from the Premier League in the Europa League, which will be either Tottenham Hotspur or Chelsea.

Sixth spot would then be a Conference League position, with the team in seventh missing out on European football altogether for the 2024-25 campaign.

A Man City victory in the FA Cup final would see the team in sixth also qualify for the Europa League, with seventh spot then proving to be a Conference League spot.

Man United are winless in their last five league matches on their travels, including a 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace last time out.

The Red Devils have lost their last four league games with Brighton, meanwhile, including a 3-1 defeat in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford earlier this season.