Aniket Rai
Manchester United still have it in their hands to qualify for UCL knockouts
After a damaging 3-1 loss to PSG at Old Trafford on matchday 5, Manchester United made their task of qualifying for the Champions League round of 16 a whole lot tougher.
Manchester United now find themselves level on 9 points with two other teams after 5 matches in Group H of the UEFA Champions League; PSG and RB Leipzig.
When two or more teams are tied on the same number of points in a Champions League group, UEFA uses the head-to-head record between the teams in question to rank them in the table instead of using overall goal-difference.
If the two teams have secured the same number of points in the two group matches they played against each other, then the aggregate score comes into consideration.
If the aggregate scoreline is also equal, then the away goals are counted. And if both teams scored the same number of away goals against each other as well, then the overall goal difference of the teams are considered. (h/t UEFA Regulations, II, Article 16.04)
This rule becomes important to understand in the context of what happened with United against PSG. United won 2-1 at Parc des Princes, scoring 2 away goals against them.
Had United kept the scoreline against PSG at Old Trafford to 2-1 instead of 3-1, then we would have gone into matchday 6 ahead of PSG on overall goal difference (+7 compared to PSG’s +2).
Hence, if PSG and United finish level on points after matchday 6, PSG will go through due to scoring more away goals in the two group matches between the sides.
What United must do to qualify:
A draw or a win against next week’s opponents RB Leipzig will guarantee qualification for United as they thrashed Leipzig 5-0 in the away leg and will hold a superior aggregate score if the two teams finish on 10 points.
If Manchester United lose against Leipzig, then they will be eliminated even if PSG lose their game against Istanbul Besaksehir in Paris next week.
If United draw with Leipzig and PSG draw with Istanbul, then the overall goal difference would be considered and PSG would qualify alongside the Red Devils.
Manchester United would need to better PSG’s result next week if are to qualify as group winners. This means there is no way for the Red Devils to qualify as Group H winners if PSG win against their opponents.
