Newcastle United finished rock bottom of their UEFA Champions League group on Wednesday night, but how has this impacted Manchester United?
Like Erik ten Hag, Eddie Howe had to watch his side finish rock-bottom of a tricky Champions League group.
Losing to AC Milan at St James’ Park was the final straw and has resulted in Newcastle’s early 2024 being Europe-free. This just a day after United’s 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich saw them crash out also.
This, however, is likely to benefit both United sides with injury woes affecting both which means the reduced amount of games should help.
But the exit of Newcastle has potentially catastrophic effects for Manchester United and the rest of the Premier League.
Why has Newcastle’s exit impacted Manchester United?
From the 2024-25 season and onwards, the Champions League format is changing from a group stage to a league.
This has resulted in extra places being available with two leagues getting an additional place in the Champions League, based on their coefficient.
So for example in the Premier League, the team who finish fifth normally would be in the Europa League, but if ranked in the top two for coefficient they would instead be a Champions League team.
So, therefore, the fact Newcastle were knocked out of Europe completely along with the Red Devils has seen the Premier League take a significant hit.
Which country is currently getting an extra Champions League spot?
Two English sides leaving European competitions altogether has seen Italy and Germany pull away as the nations receiving the extra spots.
England are currently third with a coefficient score of 12.13. This is a massive drop from Italy in second who have a 13.14 score while Germany lead the way with 13.36, according to journalist Dale Johnson.
This means for example if Ten Hag’s side finished fifth they’d be in the Europa League due to the underperformance of English sides in Europe.
Now the Old Trafford outfit’s only hope is that their fellow PL sides go far in each of their respective competitions and improve the coefficient.
Champions League chances are slowly dwindling…
The way we see it, there a eight teams battling it out for Champions League spots.
- Manchester City
- Liverpool
- Arsenal
- Manchester United
- Newcastle United
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Aston Villa
- Brighton & Hove Albion
Yet only four places are up for grabs. There is a new rule this season which could see a fifth grab a place, but two English sides leaving European competitions has seen Italy and Germany pull away as the nations to receive this privilege.
This is the reason why Newcastle departing is such bad news. Now United will be fighting for one spot.
Manchester City always seem to find a way, Arsenal and Liverpool look good, as do Villa… so does this completely erase United’s chances?
Not entirely – but it isn’t looking promising. Newcastle’s exit has certainly not helped things.
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