Pranav Kannan
Manchester United can technically still qualify for the Champions League knockout rounds
To simply put it, Manchester United don’t deserve to qualify for the Champions League knockout rounds. Yet, they find themselves with a mathematical chance of making it to the Round of 16, should a lot of results go their way.
United have been shambolic this season in the CL. With just one game, one draw and three losses from five games in the tournament, it is very clear that Erik ten Hag’s side have not stepped up. No team should qualify with just two wins in their group.
The very basic thing that United will have to ensure is that they win the game against Bayern Munich. That is easier said than done, considering how devastating the German giants can be. They would be hurting from their 5-1 loss against Eintracht Frankfurt just a few days ago in the Bundesliga.
Despite all the odds firmly stacked against them, Erik ten Hag and United will still have to believe. If they go into the game against Bayern lacking belief, they would have already lost the game before kick-off.
So, what needs to happen for United to qualify?
Finishing first in the group is not in question. As always, it is Bayern Munich who have made that position their own. All other three teams though still remain in contention for a second-place finish in the group.
For United to finish second, they need to ensure they beat Bayern. That’s the only thing that is in their hands. Whilst it certainly isn’t an easy task, Frankfurt showed us this weekend that Thomas Tuchel’s men are not invincible by any means.
However, just beating the Bavarian giants will not be sufficient. The Red Devils will also have to hope that the game between Copenhagen and Galatasaray ends in a draw. This would mean that United go second with seven points and the latter two teams finish with six.
If one of Galatasaray or Copenhagen end up with a win in their game, it automatically knocks United out. In that scenario, if Ten Hag’s men beat Bayern, they’ll finish third and qualify for the Europa League. If they fail to do so, they would remain fourth.
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Manchester United don’t have their fate in their own hands but can be glad that the final standings won’t come down to minute stuff like goal differences or head-to-head. If they beat Bayern and the other game ends in a draw, it would represent one of the most miraculous Champions League group stage qualifications of all time.
