Despite Manchester United’s spectacular form under new permanent manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, it’s not guaranteed that they will finish with Champions League qualification.
In fact, England could have FIVE clubs in the 2019/20 Champions League.
And it is still possible that the team that finishes fourth in the Premier League WON’T be one of them.
But for one of the “Big Six” to suffer the fate that kicked Spurs in the teeth in 2012 it will take an unlikely turn of events.
Uefa qualification rules grant four automatic Champions League group stage spots to the four best-performing countries over the past five years.
While Spain, with five straight Champions League wins as well as four of the last five Europa League crowns, are well on top, England are significantly clear in second of the chasing group and safe with four slots for at least the next few seasons.
England
But Uefa determined from the 2014-15 season that the winners of the Europa League would, like the Champions League holders, automatically earn a place in Europe’s major competition.
However, the maximum number of places any country can have in the Champions League is five.
With Liverpool and Manchester City fighting it out for the title, they seem certain of finishing in the top two.
Spurs have dropped down to fourth after defeat at Liverpool, throwing away a ten-point lead over Arsenal in the process.
And Tottenham fans will remember, with a shudder, how finishing fourth is not ALWAYS a guarantee of Champions League football.
On the other hand, United have the most difficult team in the Champions league, are fifth, and do not have a Europa league qualification.
Indeed, they have the toughest road ahead!