Manchester United's remaining fixtures compared with…

Manchester United's remaining fixtures compared with Arsenal, Spurs and rivals in European battle

Manchester United's hopes of securing Champions League football for next season are all but over following Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Despite producing a much-improved performance in an attacking sense, United's defensive woes haunted them once again, gift-wrapping the Gunners two of their three goals. Defeat in north London means that the Reds are now six points shy of fourth-place with four games left to play.

Although it is not mathematically impossible for United to still secure a place in the Champions League next season, the Reds' hopes of rubbing shoulders with the likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool in Europe are, according to interim boss Ralf Rangnick, over. Both Arsenal and Spurs have a game in hand over United, but that is against each other.

Therefore, United are poised to battle it out for a place in either the Europa League or Europa Conference League in their four remaining fixtures. Because of Liverpool winning the Carabao Cup and either them or Chelsea poised to lay their hands on the FA Cup next month, the clubs that finish fifth and sixth in the Premier League will scoop a Europa League place and the seventh-placed side will enter the Europa Conference League at the final qualifying round.

With the battle to finish fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh looking set to go right down to the wire, especially when just nine points separate Spurs in fifth and Wolves in eighth, MEN Sport has taken a close look at United's remaining fixtures in comparison with those who are still vying for European football for next season.

Manchester United - 6th (54pts)

Chelsea (H) - April 28
Brentford (H) - May 2
Brighton & Hove Albion (A) - May 7
Crystal Palace (A) - May 22

Verdict: On current form, United's hopes of playing in the Champions League next season are as good as over, meaning the best they can hope for is securing one of the two Europa League spots. As things stand, themselves and Tottenham will bag the two Europa League berths, but West Ham and Wolves cannot be ignored.

Aside from facing Chelsea, United's run-in, on paper, looks reasonably kind and presents an opportunity to end the season strongly. However, as proven by United's recent struggles, nothing is a given right now.