Manchester United's path back to the Champions League may have become significantly harder, following a dismal week for English clubs in European competitions. Despite not playing themselves, the Red Devils could be the biggest casualties of the mid-week fixtures, as the poor performances of their Premier League rivals threaten England's leading position in the UEFA coefficient table.
Liverpool suffered a 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray, Tottenham lost 5-2 to Atletico Madrid, Chelsea fell 5-2 at Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester City conceded three without reply away to Real Madrid. No English side managed a win across six matches; Newcastle drew with Barcelona and Arsenal were held 1-1 by Bayer Leverkusen.
England had been top of the UEFA coefficient rankings going into the knockout rounds, but with the possibility of several clubs being eliminated next week, that lead is under threat from Italy, Spain, and Germany. The top two nations earn an extra Champions League spot, which United were counting on as a safety net if they finish outside the Premier League's top four.
United currently sit third in the Premier League, three points ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea, but the margin is slim. The club's hopes of returning to the Champions League now rest more heavily on securing a top-four finish, rather than relying on England's coefficient standing.
