United's Big Chance To Leapfrog City

Manchester United's victory at Burnley on Sunday afternoon, and the effects of subsequent defeats for the club's biggest rivals, mean the coming week could prove pivotal in the race to decide who will be playing UEFA Champions League football next season.

The Reds' chances of dining at European football’s top table will greatly increase if Jose Mourinho's men should leave Manchester City's backyard with a victory on Thursday night, just as United did last season courtesy of Marcus Rashford’s strike.

The hosts at the Etihad Stadium will be looking to shake off any lingering disappointment following Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup semi-final reverse at Wembley where, despite taking the lead through prolific marksman Sergio Aguero, they lost in extra-time to Arsenal for whom Nacho Monreal and Alexis Sanchez both scored.

United by contrast have registered three wins on the bounce - Chelsea, Anderlecht and Burnley all despatched in recent days - and are now unbeaten in 23 league matches since slipping up at Stamford Bridge back in October.

A further incentive to beat the local rivals, should one be needed, is that Jose Mourinho’s side sit just one point behind the Blues and any victory for the Reds will mean the coveted fourth qualifying place for the Champions League is passed across the town with just five matches then remaining in the top flight.

With Chelsea and Tottenham seemingly assured of being among Europe's elite in 2017/18, Liverpool are the main threat to the prospect of the two Manchester teams taking the remaining berths.

Jurgen Klopp's Reds looked robust in third place before the weekend but they stumbled at home to Crystal Palace, succumbing to the curse of the former striker with Christian Benteke scoring both goals as Sam Allardyce’s charges ran out 2-1 winners to ease their relegation concerns.

That loss ended a seven-game unbeaten streak for the Merseysiders who have a three-point advantage over United but have played a game more. Therefore, if Mourinho’s team defeat Manchester City in a midweek when Liverpool have no fixture, the two most successful clubs in England will be locked together on 66 points by midnight on Thursday.

Arsenal, who have been struggling for form in recent weeks with manager Arsene Wenger subjected to much media criticism, are currently an outside bet for the top four. However, they have three games in hand on Liverpool and on Sunday they claimed that huge FA Cup victory at Wembley over Manchester City, to keep their chances of winning a trophy alive and potentially galvanise them for the remainder of the league programme.

The Gunners have played only 31 Premier League matches so far this campaign and while that is one fewer than United, they are six points worse off. Their home fixture against reigning champions Leicester City on Wednesday night is something of a must-win match if Arsenal are to extend their impressive run of participation in the UEFA Champions League to a twentieth consecutive season.

Nothing will be decided for certain over the coming days but we may go a long way to discovering which teams will secure the four lucrative spots at the top end of the Premier League. And of course, we should remember that United could finish outside those places and still qualify for the UEFA Champions League - by winning the UEFA Europa League.

With at least a two-legged semi-final against Celta Vigo to look forward to in that competition, as well as some mouthwatering domestic matches against City, Swansea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Southampton and Palace, the rest of April and May promise to be full of intrigue and excitement for United supporters.