Manchester United’s European dream is fading quickly with fans losing hope after their 1-0 loss to Arsenal leaves them languishing in eighth place.
The Red Devils have not failed to qualify for an European competition since 2014, when they finished in seventh and without a trophy under David Moyes.
However, Manchester United still have a chance to make it to Europe next season.
While the newly formed Europa Conference League is a long shot, United would be required to win their remaining matches and potentially conquer a play-off.
Depending on results, United could still scrape into the Europa League or the Conference League – although Newcastle and Chelsea seems more likely to qualify.
Two wins are crucial for Man United’s Europa League hopes, while Liverpool’s cup win offers a Conference League lifeline, the highest non-European Premier League finisher gets a play-off shot.
Defeat in the FA Cup final and a seventh-place finish could force United into a tough two-legged play-off in August, just for a spot in the revamped Conference League group stage.
The new Conference League format gives The Old Trafford giants a lifeline, but it’s a tricky one. No team gets a direct pass to the group stage; everyone has to go through qualifiers starting in July.
Man United’s fate rests on winning a two-legged play-off in August against an unknown opponent. This undoubtedly adds immense pressure to Erik ten Hag as they fight for a place in European football.
As the prospective English qualifier, United will be included on the ‘main path’ of qualifiers, although seeding for the play-offs is yet to be determined.
Although a victory for Man United in the FA Cup Final could make their European qualification a little bit easier, the fans would need to keep their fingers crossed and hope for a strong season finish from the Red Devils.
