Manchester United and Tottenham have seemingly sacrificed their Premier League standings in pursuit of Europa League glory.
The two clubs are three wins away from a backdoor entrance into the Champions League next season via UEFA‘s secondary competition.
Man United and Tottenham are both in separate Europa semi-finals, with the potential to meet to contest the trophy next month.
In addition to winning silverware, the two teams are desperate for the Champions League riches that come with qualification, with United standing to net a tidy £85.8million windfall.
Doing so via their final Premier League position is impossible, with United down in 14th, two spots above struggling Spurs.
All focus has been on Europe recently, with the Red Devils enduring three defeats and a draw from their past four domestic games.
Similarly, Tottenham’s only Premier League win since the end of February has been at home to relegated Southampton.
In contrast, the race to secure Champions League football couldn’t be any closer, with just four points separating seventh and third.
However, could a Europa League win mean that one of those slots are snatched up by either Man United or Tottenham?
How many Premier League teams can be in the Champions League?
Arsenal’s win over Real Madrid meant that the top five Premier League teams will qualify for next season’s Champions League.
That will be extended to as many as SIX clubs should either Manchester United or Tottenham win this year’s Europa League.
That is because both the Red Devils and Spurs will finish outside the top five, with the Champions League slot reserved for the winners of UEFA’s second tournament separate from domestic allocation.
It’ll come as a huge boost to the likes of Man City, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, Chelsea, and Aston Villa.
The performances of Premier League sides in all of UEFA’s competitions this season ensured England are guaranteed a top-two spot in UEFA’s association club coefficient rankings, thus being one of two countries to gain an extra Champions League spot.
Liverpool are the only side guaranteed to play in the top tournament next season as they can’t finish any lower than third.
Newcastle’s Carabao Cup triumph over the Reds means the Toon have secured a spot in the Conference League at least for 2025/26.
Should the Magpies qualify for the Champions League or Europa League via their league position, then their place in the third tier will be transferred to the next-highest Premier League side who have not qualified for Europe.
Likewise, this rule will also apply to City, Forest, and Villa should they earn a Europa League spot by winning the FA Cup, but secure a top-five Premier League finish.
When is the Europa League final?
The 2025 Europa League final will take place on Wednesday, May 21.
It is being held at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain – home of Athletic Bilbao.
Kick-off is currently scheduled for 8pm.
Broadcast details for the final are yet to be confirmed, but it is likely to be shown live on TNT Sports in the UK.
talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will also be on hand for all the latest news and build-up.
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