Race to the Champions League

Premier League clubs know that a top-four place will guarantee entry into Europe's leading competition in 2026/27.

At present, United sit in third spot but only ahead of Villa on goal difference, following our 2-1 loss at Newcastle United last time out.

Chelsea and Liverpool are three points behind and the west Londoners currently have a superior goal difference to each of the rivals vying for these spots.

Brentford are four points worse off, in seventh, narrowly ahead of Everton.

While finishing in the top four must be the chief target, given the impressive form since Michael Carrick took over as head coach, there is also the possibility of fifth place being sufficient to also qualify for the Champions League.

However, the system is rather complicated and relies on the performances of the English clubs in this season's European competitions, earning coefficient points.

Each term, the two highest-ranking nations gain an extra place, with the Premier League and La Liga benefiting in 2025.

Hence, Newcastle United and Villarreal were included in the group stages of the Champions League last year.

Tottenham Hotspur made it six English clubs involved by beating us 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League final to also qualify.

England was looking in an incredibly strong position ahead of the knockout stages but not a single Premier League side recorded a victory in Europe's top tournament this week.

Newcastle United (against Barcelona) and Arsenal (versus Bayer Leverkusen) secured 1-1 draws, with late goals influencing the results.

Liverpool lost 1-0 at Galatasaray, while Chelsea and Spurs were heavily beaten 5-2, by Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid respectively.

Manchester City suffered a 3-0 reverse at Real Madrid.

The second legs are due to take place next week, on 17/18 March, which will clearly have an impact on the coefficents.

Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa are in European action on Thursday night, with more points up for grabs.

The coefficients are also influenced by the last five seasons and the latest top UEFA rankings, according to the BBC, are as follows:

1. ENGLAND - 22.513
2. Spain - 18.031
3. Germany - 18.000
4. Italy - 17.357
5. Portugal - 16.600

Hopefully, United can clinch a top-four place in the Premier League regardless, and victory on Sunday would certainly be a big step in the right direction.