What happens to the Premier League’s fifth Champions League place when Manchester United or Tottenham win Europa League?

Manchester United and Tottenham have sacrificed their Premier League standings in pursuit of Europa League glory tonight.

The two clubs are both one win away from a backdoor entrance into the Champions League next season via UEFA‘s secondary competition.

Man United and Tottenham, who have lost a combined 39 Premier League games between them, will contest the trophy in Bilbao.

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 16th, one spot above Spurs, who only have the three relegated teams beneath them.

All focus has been on Europe recently, with the Red Devils enduring six defeats and two draws from their past eight 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 three points separating seventh and third.

However, with the Europa League heading to either Man United or Tottenham, what does that mean for English football’s fifth spot?

How many Premier League teams can be in the Champions League?

Arsenal’s win over Real Madrid on April 8 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, with either Manchester United or Tottenham guaranteed to win the 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.

Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday saw them join Liverpool in guaranteeing their spot in the top tournament next season.

The Magpies’ Carabao Cup triumph over the Reds means the Toon have secured a spot in the Conference League at least for 2025/26.

Should Newcastle 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.

Crystal Palace’s win in the FA Cup meant the Eagles will take one of the allocated two Europa League spots.

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When is the Europa League final?

The 2025 Europa League final will take place on Wednesday, May 21. 

It is being held at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain – home of Man United’s semi-final opponents, Athletic Bilbao.

Kick-off is currently scheduled for 8pm, with talkSPORT’s live coverage of the final presented by Adrian Durham.

Commentary will then be provided by Jim Proudfoot and former England striker Dean Ashton.

talkSPORT.com will also be on hand for all the latest news and build-up, including a live match blog for all the updates on the night.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. 

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

The final will also be shown live on TNT Sports in the UK, read our article on the best TNT Sports subscription deals if you are looking to sign up before the final.

Check out all the best Europa League Final betting offers, free bets and bet boosts from our bookmaker partners

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