Explained: Why Man Utd’s Champions League exit to Bayern Munich could mean Premier League miss out on fifth European spot for 2024-25 - with Newcastle to play key role

United lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich on Tuesday night, condemning them to last spot in their Champions League group. That may have a negative knock-on effect for Premier League sides hoping to reach the competition by coming fifth in the English top-flight...

Next season, the 36-team Champions League will be revamped and the two countries who perform best in European competitions will get an extra spot in the tournament. If the English clubs finish in the top two, Tottenham, who currently sit fifth in the league, would benefit.

But given United's Champions League exit on Tuesday, England have dropped to third in the rankings, with Germany and Italy making up the top two. Now, any hopes of securing an extra European spot may depend on how Newcastle United fare on Wednesday night against AC Milan. Defeat for the Magpies will end their Champions League dream - and potentially an extra European place for English clubs in 2024-25.

Arsenal and Manchester City are through to the UCL knockout stages and the Premier League will go racing up the rankings if they go deep in the competition.

West Ham, Liverpool, and Brighton are into the knockout stages of the Europa League, as are Aston Villa in the Conference League.

Newcastle play Milan at St James' Park, knowing a win is the only way of progressing to the UCL knockout stages. They may need Borussia Dortmund to beat Paris Saint-Germain to go, through.