There is a new format in terms of qualification for the Champions League 24/25 season, which could have seriously positive implications for Manchester United this season.
The Champions League is arguably the greatest club competition in world football. It oozes iconic fixtures, boasts the best players to ever play the game and, most importantly, has the single greatest sporting anthem to ever exist.
That’s why Erik ten Hag and Manchester United are always desperate to feature. There’s nothing quite like a European night under the lights midweek at Old Trafford.
A new format has come into place for the 23/24 season regarding qualification. This could further ensure Champions League qualification is possible, even if United don’t finish in the top four.
- READ MORE: Champions League/Europa League 24/25: What is the new format? Will it affect Manchester United?
Extra Premier League UEFA Champions League spot – Explained
According to the Premier League’s official website, for the first time in history, the 2023/24 season could have five teams qualifying for the Champions League through their league positions.
How does this work?
The UEFA Champions League has a changed format for the 2024/25 season. It now has an expanded 36 participating teams in an all-new format.
This also allows for an additional place to be allocated to two countries. This is based on whose clubs collectively performed the best in UEFA competitions the season before.
So, if the Premier League clubs provide one of the top two performances for a nation in the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League – the team finishing fifth this season will earn a UCL spot.
What about the Europa and Conference League spots?
Qualification for the two other UEFA competitions will follow the same protocols as in previous years. If the fifth spot qualifies for the Champions League, the Europa League spot will go to the team finishing sixth.
This actually means that we could see a whopping seven English teams in the Champions League, provided they won each of the competitions this season.
When will we find out who gets the 5th place spot?
As it stands, according to Analyst.com, England are still simulated to have the best chance of getting that extra place in next season’s Champions League – but all will be revealed at the end of the season.
Then, the geographical spread of the participating clubs in the latter stages of UEFA competitions is known.
Last season, because of Manchester City winning the Champions League and West Ham winning the Europa Conference – the Premier League would have definitely obtained this spot.
However, all depends on how English clubs fare going into the remainder of the Champions League, Europa League and Europa League Conference knockout stages.