Manchester United boosted their Champions League qualification hopes with a 3-1 victory over top-four rivals Aston Villa on Sunday. Goals from Casemiro, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko secured the win, despite Ross Barkley's equaliser for Villa. The result keeps United in third place, three points ahead of Aston Villa and Liverpool, who occupy fourth and fifth respectively, and six points clear of Chelsea in sixth.
With England expected to receive an additional Champions League spot for next season, a top-five finish is likely sufficient for qualification. United need a maximum of 18 points from their remaining eight matches to secure that position. A win against Bournemouth on Friday would give them a nine-point buffer over sixth place ahead of the rest of the weekend's fixtures.
The Manchester Evening News has examined United's next five Premier League matches compared to their rivals in the race for Champions League football. The analysis comes as the club looks to maintain its momentum and edge closer to a return to Europe's elite competition.
