What latest UEFA coefficient rankings mean for Manchester United in Champions League race

Manchester United's aspirations of securing a Champions League spot for the next season have been dealt a significant blow following a string of disappointing performances by English clubs in European competitions.

The forthcoming expansion of the Champions League will see two additional spots allocated to countries whose clubs excel in European competitions this season. UEFA will determine this based on the coefficient rankings, which assess the performance of each nation's clubs not only in the Champions League but also in the Europa League and Europa Conference League.

Italy has already secured the first extra spot, leading the rankings with an impressive score of 19.428. The race for the second spot is now between Germany and England, with the Bundesliga currently holding the advantage.

Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich's progression in the Champions League had already put Germany in a favorable position. However, Bayer Leverkusen's advancement in the Europa League, particularly after defeating West Ham, has bolstered Germany's chances further, with their score currently standing at 17.928. Germany now requires two additional wins from their clubs in European competitions or a win and two draws to secure the extra Champions League spot.

On the other hand, England's hopes hinge solely on Aston Villa's performance in the Europa Conference League, following their advancement on penalties against Lille. Despite the Premier League's respectable score of 17.375, Germany's potential to accumulate more points outweighs England's prospects.

For Manchester United, currently trailing ten points behind fifth-placed Tottenham in the Premier League standings, the odds of clinching a potential Champions League spot were already slim. However, with recent results casting further doubt on England's chances, even securing a top-five finish may not guarantee Champions League qualification for the Red Devils.