Manchester United GUARANTEED to play European football next season after Wolves’ defeat

Manchester United GUARANTEED to play European football next season after Wolves’ thumping defeat at the hands of Man City… with the Red Devils locked in a battle with West Ham to avoid playing in the Europa Conference League

  • Wolves can no longer overtake Manchester United after their loss on Wednesday
  • It means that the Red Devils are guaranteed to play in Europe next season
  • They are in a battle with West Ham to qualify for next season’s Europa League
  • The Hammers could knock them down into the Europa Conference League   

Manchester United are guaranteed to be playing European football next season as a result of Wolves being thrashed 5-1 by Man City.

In what has been a tumultuous campaign for the Red Devils, they were at risk of not qualifying for any European competition due to their disappointing position in the league table.

It would have been a bitter blow for incoming United manager Erik ten Hag, who will be looking to turn around the club’s fortunes when he arrives this summer.

Manchester United will either play in the Europa League or Europa Conference League

Incoming manager Erik ten Hag will be hoping the Red Devils make the Europa League

Incoming manager Erik ten Hag will be hoping the Red Devils make the Europa League

The heavy defeat suffered by Wolves means United can finish no lower than seventh, with just one game left to play away at Crystal Palace on the final day of the season.

United are currently sixth, though West Ham could go ahead on goal difference if they win their clash with Pep Guardiola’s side on Sunday.

If the Hammers were able to push United down to their worst league finish since the 2013-14 season under David Moyes, it would result in Ten Hag’s men playing in the Europa Conference League next season.

David Moyes and West Ham could knock Man United down into the Europa Conference League

David Moyes and West Ham could knock Man United down into the Europa Conference League

Wolves will need results to go for them if they are to seal a place in Europe next season

Wolves will need results to go for them if they are to seal a place in Europe next season

Manchester United and West Ham’s final games 

Man United (6th – 58 points +1 GD)

Away to Crystal Palace on May 22

West Ham (7th – 55 points  +11 GD)

Home against Man City on May 15

Away to Brighton on May 22

For a club with Champions League aspirations, it would be disappointing for the Red Devils to play in Europe’s third competition.

While the Europa League is still not where United want to be, it gives them another route into the Champions League the following season as well as a chance of winning back the trophy they claimed in 2017.

Wolves could still make the Europa Conference League if they were to win both of their final games and hope West Ham lose their matches.

Ten Hag signed off in style at Ajax as his side hit five goals past Heerenveen to secure their third Eredivisie title in four years before he takes over at United. 

One of his main tasks at Old Trafford will be to get United back into the Champions League.

United will finish the season with their lowest ever points total in the Premier League era and are now five years without a trophy.