Double defeat embarrassing for top flight

Manchester United and M Newcastle's European exits were contrasting in their manner meek damage limitation versus gung-ho cavalry charge but they added up to the same thing. Failure that could come back to bite English football.

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Never before in the history of the Champions League have two English teams finished bottom of their group in the same season.

And it is an under-performance which could have ramifications for the Premier League as a whole.

The expansion of the Champions League next season will see two countries gain an extra place each.

It was widely assumed before a ball was kicked this season that would mean five spots instead of four for the Premier League.

But the exits of United and Newcastle who miss out on the Europa League as well has put that in serious doubt. UEFA will award the places based on a complex coefficient which will play out through this season's knockout stages, but as things stand they will be going to Germany and Italy.