Manchester United are on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League following their victory over Brentford in the Premier League thanks to goals from Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko
Manchester United require just one point to secure Champions League football next season, provided it comes against Brighton. Michael Carrick’s side opened up an 11-point gap to the Seagulls with victory over Brentford on Monday evening.
United are in third position in the Premier League following a 2-1 win over the Bees at Old Trafford. It sees the club all-but-qualified for Europe’s top competition.
With five teams qualifying for the Champions League this term, United can only be denied by Brighton or Bournemouth, who sit in sixth and seventh respectively. Carrick’s men would need to lose all of their remaining matches for the Cherries to stand a chance and Andoni Iraola’s side would still require four wins in their own fixtures.
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One more win will guarantee that United no longer have to worry about Brighton, with the south coast club only able to reach 62 points. Likewise, two draws will be enough to put United out of reach of their Premier League rivals on 64 points.
Carrick’s side will be able to lose all of their games so long as they can share the spoils against the Seagulls on the final day of the season. A draw in that game will mean that Brighton can only reach 60 points, with United already on 61.
If United drew one of their games and lost the other three, it would allow Brighton the opportunity to move ahead of United on goal difference if they win all their games. United currently hold a five-goal advantage, but that would be overturned if Brighton claimed four wins and United three defeats, with a minimum seven-goal swing.
United still have Liverpool, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and Brighton to play. Brighton must be perfect in matches away to Newcastle, at home against Wolves, away to Leeds at Elland Road and then against United.
Securing Champions League football will see Carrick having done all he can to extend his stay in the Old Trafford dugout. It remains to be seen if it is enough.
The former Middlesbrough boss admitted he’d shared a conversation with United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe recently. “He came in. We had a chat and a cup of tea,” he said.
“It was a casual chat, to be honest – quite informal. But it was nice to see him.”
Carrick has hoped to form connections throughout the club and he believes ownership should be linked to those working at United.
“I’m really conscious that’s how it should be,” he said. “I am trying to do my part with that, as well as is everybody else. I’ve felt that since I’ve been here since for sure.”
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