FA Cup now Euro lifeline for United

IT was not all that long ago that United were looking up rather than down as far as the Premier League table was concerned.

- GEORGE SMITH

After chalking up a fourth consecutive league victory with a 2-1 triumph over Luton Town on February 18, United were within touching distance of the top four, finding themselves five points behind Aston Villa and just three short of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. They had the bit between their teeth and were showing signs of encouragement. However, their winning run hit the buffers when Fulham visited Old Trafford less than a week later and secured a shock 2-1 win. Since beating Luton, United have won just once in the league, amassing just six points from the last 21 on offer.

As a result, United are now 13 points behind Villa, who tightened their grip on fourth spot with a 2-0 win over Arsenal on Sunday, with just six games left to play. Fifth spot, which is currently occupied by Spurs, could still be enough to secure Champions League qualification for next season, but Erik ten Hag's troops are 10 points behind the Londoners.

With that in mind, United can almost certainly forget about the Champions League theme tune being played by the Old Trafford compere next season. The challenge for them now is to ensure they will, at the very least, get the opportunity to contest the Europa League.