Manchester United are on the verge of confirming their return to the Champions League following a dogged victory over Chelsea
Manchester United could guarantee themselves Champions League football for next season against Liverpool in two weeks after winning at Chelsea. Michael Carrick’s side put in a tremendous display on Saturday night to leave Stamford Bridge with all three points and stretch the gap from sixth-placed Chelsea to double-figures.
Just five games of the 2025/26 season remain and United are in an excellent position to seal a return to Europe’s top-club competition as they sit 10 points clear of the Blues. Wins against Brentford and Liverpool at Old Trafford in their next two fixtures will actually seal Champions League football for next season, regardless of what Chelsea do.
Liam Rosenior’s side can close the gap before United next play as they face Brighton in just a few days with that game brought forward due to their involvement in the FA Cup semi-finals.
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However, defeat on the south coast will make their task that much more difficult with United subsequently closer to the Champions League.
Fernandes was asked about playing in that competition again after the 1-0 victory with his mindset clear despite the fact that United are all but back in Europe’s top-club competition.
He told TNT Sports: “I feel three points closer, that’s it. Now we have another game that we have to win. We know that we need points to get that place secured and we’re going to do everything we can to get it as quickly as possible.”
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On the same topic, Carrick said: “There’s a gap in the league [to being outside Champions League places]. It wasn’t so much that but the enjoyment of the win.
“Coming here is tough, we have found it hard over the years and to have that moment in the end, they are the ones you want to remember. We won’t get carried away but we will enjoy the result tonight.”
Sunday, May 3 is the earliest date United can seal that achievement and to do so potentially at the expense of Liverpool would be quite satisfying.
Arne Slot’s side face Everton in the Merseyside Derby on Sunday and follow that up with another big derby away to United. They also take on fourth-placed Aston Villa in their penultimate fixture of the campaign.
Such a challenging fixture schedule, alongside Chelsea’s poor form, could open the door for any of Brentford, Bournemouth, Brighton, Everton, Sunderland or Fulham.
Liverpool are seven points clear of the latter, with their victory last weekend only increasing that margin, but dropping points is still entirely possible over the coming weeks.
Given how unpredictable the top-five race looks set to be, United will be grateful that they have opened up a significant gap and can confirm their seat back at the European table by winning their next two home games.
If the worst-case scenario does play out, and results don’t go their way elsewhere, United would still just need to beat Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Brighton.
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