Manchester United have clinched a place in next season's Champions League following their 3-2 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford. The result guarantees the Red Devils a top-five finish in the Premier League, securing a £15.7 million windfall after a season without European football.
Michael Carrick's side moved into third place with 64 points, and Brighton's defeat to Newcastle meant a draw would have been sufficient. However, United took the game to their rivals, with Matheus Cunha opening the scoring after six minutes and Benjamin Sesko doubling the lead in controversial fashion on 15 minutes.
Liverpool fought back in the second half through Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo, but Kobbie Mainoo restored United's lead with a cool finish from distance. Carrick, who replaced Ruben Amorim earlier in the season, has now achieved his primary objective with three matches to spare.
Speaking after the match, Carrick urged caution over the celebrations. 'The Champions League is one thing, but it's not something that we should be over-celebrating either,' he said. 'We want to be finishing high up the league and challenging for more points.'
United last featured in the Champions League in the 2023/24 season, failing to progress from the group stage. They finished eighth in the Premier League that campaign and qualified for the Europa League via FA Cup victory, eventually losing the final to Tottenham under Amorim.
