A busy night of Champions League football could have ramifications for Manchester United.
The Champions League’s new format has divided opinion since the changes were implemented in 2024/25.
One thing you cannot deny is that the final day of the group stages lends itself to high drama.
18 games kicked off simultaneously, making it almost impossible for fans across Europe to keep up with them all.
There were a few things for Manchester United supporters to note…
Roberto de Zerbi’s Marseille were knocked out in the final seconds after a goal from Benfica’s goalkeeper, to the delight of manager Jose Mourinho.Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay’s Napoli were eliminated after a 3-2 loss to Chelsea.Marcus Rashford scored a free-kick to make it eight goal contributions in eight games after helping Barcelona to an easy win.
Aside from all of those notable events, there was a very positive ‘big picture’ outlook for Manchester United, with the final group stage table complete.
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Photo by Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty ImagesManchester United can benefit from co-efficient boost
Manchester United finished a desperate 15th in the Premier League in 2024/25, a worst ever finish. Thankfully we have been able to reset this time around.
United are currently in fourth place in the Premier League, on course to qualify for the Champions League next season if we maintain the position.
And now after the Champions League group stages were completed, it is now almost certain that fifth place will be enough to qualify for the competition next season.
Every English team competing in this season’s Champions League qualified for the knockout stages. Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle, Liverpool, and even Tottenham.
UEFA’s co-efficient table reflects the success of English clubs, with England topping the rankings.
Two additional Champions League places are awarded to the two nations at the top.
England are in first place with an average ranking of 18.763 points. Germany follow on 14.642, just pipping Spain at present, 14.093.
The rankings are subject to change, but with six clubs in the group stages and a healthy advantage in first, it is almost certain that England will finish in the top two and an additional Champions League place will go to the Premier League.
Michael Carrick’s Manchester United will almost certainly only need to finish in the Premier League top five to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
This will bring added prestige, added games, and a huge financial boost to United, along with the opportunity to win the top prize in club football.
There are 15 Premier League games remaining for United to secure a place in the top five – a modest but realistic target considering some of the dreaming about a late title challenge.
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Manchester United’s last time in the Champions League
Manchester United have not played in the Champions League since the 2023/24 season, when Erik ten Hag was in charge.
A succession of errors from Andre Onana had a large role in United being humiliatingly dumped out in the group stages.
United’s last Champions League game was a 1-0 home defeat to Bayern in December 2023.
2023/24 was the final season with the old Champions League format, before the introduction of the new format in 2024/25.
United competed in the Europa League that year, experiencing the same new format, just with weaker competition and smaller prize money.
If Michael Carrick’s men can keep up the recent form, we will have a fantastic chance of playing Champions League football again in 2026/27.
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