What next for Manchester United with Champions League return almost sealed?

News|FootballWhat next for Manchester United with Champions League return almost sealed?Man Utd’s return to UEFA Champions League is all but confirmed after two-year absence, but what next for fallen giants?ListenListen (7 mins)SaveClick here to share on social mediashare-nodesSharefacebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoManchester United manager Michael Carrick celebrates after the Brentford match [Phil Noble/Reuters]By Kevin HandPublished On 28 Apr 202628 Apr 2026Manchester United’s 2-1 ‌win over Brentford put them on the ⁠brink of ⁠Champions League qualification, but interim manager Michael Carrick said they must keep pushing to finish as high up ⁠the Premier League table as possible.United now need just two points from their last four games to seal their place in Europe’s elite club competition for the first time since 2023-24.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4All New York boroughs to host free World Cup fan events, Mamdani sayslist 2 of 4Before World Cup, FIFA slammed for politicising sport with Trump prizelist 3 of 4FIFA urged to push US for ‘ICE Truce’ at World Cup by rights grouplist 4 of 4Tailgating to be allowed at Boston World Cup matches as FIFA changes stanceend of listCarrick’s future at Old Trafford remains unclear, though, while it has been confirmed that the talismanic scorer of their first goal on Monday – and leader in the centre of the pitch – will be leaving the club in the summer.Al Jazeera Sport looks at where United’s return to former glories currently stands.What happened in Man Utd’s 2-1 win against Brentford?Brazilian international Casemiro headed United in front in the early stages at Old Trafford after Bruno Fernandes’s corner was nodded on by Harry Maguire.Fernandes helped United double their lead just before half-time with a surging run and pinpoint pass to Benjamin Sesko, who fired home in clinical style.Carrick’s side survived Mathias Jensen’s late strike to secure a second successive victory, cementing their grip on third place in the Premier League.How close are Man Utd to a Champions League return?The victory on Monday lifted United to 61 points, 11 clear of sixth-placed Brighton & ⁠Hove Albion, with four games remaining.With the top five qualifying for the Champions League next season, United need two more points to seal their return to Europe’s elite competition after a two-year absence. Advertisement What next for Man Utd with Champions League return in sight?“The ‌Champions League is one thing, but it’s not something that we should be over-celebrating either,” former United midfielder Carrick told reporters after Monday’s game.“We want to be finishing high up the league, really, and we want to be challenging high up in the league and trying to get more points so our season ⁠doesn’t get to a close when that ⁠happens.“We have put ourselves in good position, but there’s still more work to be done,” added Carrick, who took charge in January after Ruben Amorim’s dismissal.Will Casemiro stay at Man Utd next season?Casemiro netted his ninth goal of the season on Monday at Old Trafford, and while supporters have ⁠called on the club to keep him ⁠for another year, Carrick said the midfielder’s future lies elsewhere.“From both sides, it’s pretty clear. Probably the situation and the clarity of it has helped everything,” ‌he said, reiterating the previous announcement that Casemiro’s contract will not be renewed at the end of the season.“It means a lot to him and credit…

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