Man Utd could cost Premier League extra Champions League spot in 2024/25 season

Manchester United could cost the Premier League an extra Champions League spot next season if their poor form continues.

United sit bottom of their Champions League group after surprise defeats to Copenhagen and Galatasaray.

Erik ten Hag's side will likely need to win both of their final group stage games, against Galatasaray and Bayern Munich, to qualify for the round of 16.

And they could miss out on entering the Europa League if results go against them on the final two matchweeks.

While United are currently outside of the European places in eighth position in the Premier League, it is their European form that poses more of a concern in relation to next season's Champions League.

For next season's revamp of the competition, the amount of teams that qualify will increase from 32 to 36.

That is in order to incorporate a new group stage, where the teams will play nine games against different teams as part of one league system.

To make up the extra four teams, UEFA will offer two extra positions to nations that have performed the strongest in European competition.

Only this season's performances will count, and teams will pick up ranking points as they progress which will count towards each nation's overall tally.

The Premier League, therefore, could earn a fifth qualification spot for next season's Champions League if their teams perform well enough.

It holds a major initial advantage, given that eight of its clubs - Arsenal, United, Manchester City, Newcastle, Liverpool, Brighton, Aston Villa and West Ham - are playing in European competition this season.

As a result, if United fail to progress to the next stage of the Champions League or even the Europa League, other clubs can make up the shortfall in ranking points - but it would certainly put the English top flight on the back foot.