Manchester United have had a terrible season. It seems a long time since the club announced the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo and some fans even went so far as to say that the team under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could mount a title challenge.
However it is now May, Solskjaer was sacked in November and United are 28 points off the top spot having played two games more than the leaders, Manchester City. United will end the season with no silverware and it is yet to see what European competition they will be playing under Erik ten Hag.
With a top-four finish and the Champions League now out of reach, the minimum many fans were expecting was Europa League football, though some fans didn't want to play in Europe at all given how Arsenal have rebuilt with fewer games to worry about. But United's 4-0 loss to Brighton has thrown that plan into disarray.
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If United had beaten Brighton or even drawn against them, it would have all but secured their place in the Europa League. West Ham United face Manchester City in midweek, which they will struggle to get a result in, and then have Brighton in the final game of the season.
It would have also meant that they would have been out of reach of Wolves, who still can mathematically overtake United since they have two games in hand. This could mean that United would be without European competition entirely, but given that the Midlands' side still needs to play both Liverpool and City, it is highly unlikely that this will happen.
The 4-0 loss obliterated United's goal difference and then West Ham won 4-0 themselves against Norwich. This means that they are only three points behind.
If West Ham win against City, then United will be on equal points with David Moyes' side and will need the London club to not match or better their result against Palace in the final game of the season (with a goal difference of 10 in West Ham's favour it seems unlikely this would come into play). This takes the power completely out of Rangnick and his player's hands.
If West Ham draw against City, United need to win against Palace to confirm their place in the Europa League next season. If they draw they've got to hope that Moyes men do not win against Brighton otherwise they will be in the UEFA Europa Conference League next season.
If West Ham lose against City, then United only need a result to confirm their place, though they will enter into the Europa League by default if West Ham fails to beat Brighton.
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