Manchester United are on the brink of securing Champions League qualification for next season after beating Bournemouth 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
United midfield enforcer Casemiro scored the only goal of the game after nine minutes to seal all three points for Erik ten Hag's side, meaning they require just one point from their last two matches to secure a top-four finish. For a while it looked as though they were going to get the job done once and for all, only for Liverpool to equalise late on against Aston Villa at Anfield.
Trailing 1-0 to Jacob Ramsey's first-half opener, Liverpool earned themselves a point in the 89th minute, thanks to a farewell strike from Roberto Firmino on his final home appearance for the club. Though it was enough to prevent the Reds and Newcastle United from officially securing top-four spots, all it has done, realistically, is delay it.
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Both United and Newcastle have two games left and both need just a point to get the job done. The only way Liverpool can now clinch a top-four berth ahead of United is by winning their final day trip to Southampton next Sunday and hoping that Ten Hag's side lose their last two matches.
The Reds welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford on Thursday night before Fulham visit M16 on the final day of the season next Sunday. Their home form has been excellent this season, so much so that they have not lost at Old Trafford in all competitions since September.
United failed to qualify for the Champions League last season, finishing a disappointing sixth in the standings, resulting in them competing in the Europa League this term. Though they have ended their trophy drought this season, United's main objective at the start of the season was to achieve a top-four finish and secure a route back into Europe's premier club competition.
They will now have ambitions of ending the Premier League campaign as strongly as possible in preparation for the FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley in a fortnight's time. Two wins in their last two home games would see them end the campaign with the second-best home record in the division this term.
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