Erik ten Hag Insists Man United Are Still in The Race For Champions League Football Next Season Despite Defeat to Man City

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May 8, 2023
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Manchester United stumbled heavily on the Premier League top-four race following their loss to Manchester City in the 147th Manchester Derby

United went in front through Marcus Rashford's brilliant strike from outside the box. Rashford's goal was enough to hand the away side the lead at the break before Manchester City's enduring onslaught yielded result in the second half.

England star Phil Foden led the comeback for City, scoring twice in a few minutes in the second half to overturn the game in a flash.

Before regulation time, Erling Haaland also found the back for the net for the home side to condemn Manchester United to their second Premier League defeat in a row.

It was a deserved victory for the more dominant city rivals against a struggling Manchester United grappling with an inconsistent run this season.

Having crashed out of the Champions League and ruled out of the Premier League title race, Manchester United's hopes for Champions League football next season is now solely contingent upon their finish on the Premier League table this season.

Following the loss to City, it appears they are receding far from the race with rivals Aston Villa and Tottenham keeping still in gear in the race.

Despite the stark enormity of odds against United's chances of making the top four this season, United manager Erik ten Hag is still hopeful the club can still qualify for the top-four.

Speaking after the loss to Manchester City, the under-pressure gaffer said United are still strongly in the race for the top-four and will fight back with a win in their next fixture against Everton.

Ten Hag also admitted a fifth-place finish for United can still secure the team Champions League with England more likely to be handed five automatic slots in the competition from next season.

While United's top-four hopes is in tatters, finishing in a top five is still possible for the Old Trafford club.

They are sixth on the Premier League table with 44 points, 6 points away from Tottenham Hotspur, who have a game in hand.

How Manchester United can qualify for Champions League as a fifth-place finisher

Due to the newly evolved format of the Champions League which will feature 36 teams instead of the traditional 32 teams, the two best-performing leagues in Europe will be handed automatic five slots next season.

England are more likely to make the top two performance leagues with English clubs all represented in the knockout of all three UEFA club competitions.

This means clubs that will finish fifth on the Premier League table this season will be handed automatic slot.

Manchester United will play Everton in their next game and will hope to relaunch themselves into the top-four race with a win against the Toffees