Man Utd win ramps up chances of Arsenal, Spurs or Chelsea being robbed of Champions League place

England could have five teams on show in Europe's elite competition next season – but a top four spot may not be enough, thanks to a Uefa quirk.

Should Premier League sides win both the Champions and Europa League titles – while also finishing outside the top four, whoever finished fourth domestically would miss out on a Champions League place for 2019-20.

For example, if United won the Champions League and Arsenal clinched the Europa League crown – but both finished outside of the top four – fourth place would be out of Europe altogether.

Liverpool and Manchester City seem nailed-on to secure the top two spots in the Premier League.

So if Tottenham were to finish third and Chelsea fourth, the Blues would miss out on Europe.

Arsenal would miss out on Europe should they finish in fourth and Chelsea win the Europa League and finish outside the top four – and a similar scenario is in place should Spurs win the Champions League for any fourth-placed team.

Uefa qualification rules grant four automatic Champions League group stage spots to the four best-performing countries over the past five years.

But, from 2014-15, the winners of the Europa League have, like the Champions League holders, automatically earned a place in Europe’s major competition.

However, the maximum number of places any country can have in the CL is five – with Tottenham falling foul of the curse in 2012.

Priority is given to the European cup winners ahead of league position – meaning fourth place might not be enough.

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