Manchester United remain on course for a top-four finish in the Premier League this season, but Erik ten Hag will be keen for his players to secure Champions League football as quickly as possible.
The Reds squandered a 2-0 lead as they drew 2-2 with Tottenham in the top-flight on Thursday night. Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford were both on target for the away side, but Pedro Porro and Heung-min Son scored for Spurs in the second half to level proceedings.
With Newcastle having thrashed Everton 4-1 on Thursday night, Ten Hag's side dropped below the Magpies in the table. However, United still have a game in hand over Eddie Howe's men and will be aiming to finish inside the top-three come the end of the campaign.
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Despite dropping points in London in midweek, the Reds are still in a good position to secure Champions League football for next season. As the battle at the top end of the table continues to intensify, MEN Sport has taken a close look at what United need to do to ensure they finish inside the top-four this term.
Manchester United
- Current position: 4th
- Current points: 60
- Games remaining: 7
- Maximum potential points total: 81
Verdict: With Brighton able to get 73 points, United need 14 points from their remaining seven matches to secure Champions League football for next season - assuming the Seagulls go on and win every match between now and the end of the campaign. Evidently, that is unlikely to happen, but Ten Hag will still be keen for his players to cement their place in the top-four as quickly as possible.
Several of the sides competing for a top-four finish face each other in the remaining few weeks of the campaign, which means teams will drop points and lose ground in the race. The Reds face Aston Villa and Brighton in their next two matches, so United could take a huge step towards their goal with six points from those games.
Newcastle United:
- Current position: 3rd
- Current points: 62
- Games remaining: 6
- Maximum potential points total: 80
Tottenham Hotspur:
- Current position: 5th
- Current points: 54
- Games remaining: 5
- Maximum potential points total: 69
Aston Villa:
- Current position: 6th
- Current points: 54
- Games remaining: 5
- Maximum potential points total: 69
Liverpool:
- Current position: 7th
- Current points: 53
- Games remaining: 6
- Maximum potential points total: 71
Brighton & Hove Albion:
- Current position: 8th
- Current points: 49
- Games remaining: 8
- Maximum potential points total: 73
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