Manchester United will secure a top-four finish on Saturday with a win over Bournemouth should Brighton not beat Newcastle on Thursday and Liverpool lose to Aston Villa at the weekend.
Regardless of other results, United need to win two of their final three Premier League matches against the Cherries, Chelsea and Fulham. United currently sit on 66 points following their 2-0 win over Wolves on Saturday.
Erik ten Hag has so far enjoyed a successful debut season, winning the Carabao Cup with the cup double still alive after making it to an FA Cup final against Manchester City. However, his initial aim this term was to finish inside the top four and secure Champions League football.
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He underlined the importance of this earlier this month, saying: "In the Champions League you face the best teams across Europe, the best managers, in the best stadiums. For the players, they face the best players and [as a team] you are in a better league schedule, that is also important.
“It's very important for the rebuild of this club that we are in the Champions League. The players know they want to be in the Champions League, they want to be at the top of the Premier League.
"Now it looks like we are in the Champions League, there is even more interest because they know we are in the Champions League and the Premier League at a high level. So, qualification will be important."
If Liverpool and Newcastle win all of their remaining matches, United will drop out of the top four if they fail to pick up six points given Liverpool’s superior goal difference.
United were in the speculative frame for an outside title chance earlier this season but poor away form - including recent losses to Brighton and West Ham - means they are now looking over their shoulder.
However, should Newcastle win all of their games, Brighton can only gain a top-four spot should United tally four points or fewer, the Seagulls’ goal difference also stronger than United’s (+21 vs +10).
After Newcastle, Brighton face Southampton, Manchester City and Aston Villa. Meanwhile, Liverpool play Aston Villa and Southampton in their final two games.
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