As many as seven Premier League teams could be playing in the UEFA Champions League in the 2025/26 season after Manchester United's late heroics against Lyon. Had the Red Devils been eliminated from the Europa League, the chances of such a scenario would've been even lower.
However, Harry Maguire's last-gasp winner means Ruben Amorim's men still have a good chance of salvaging an otherwise dreadful campaign by lifting the secondary continental competition. Should United or Tottenham - who knocked out Eintracht Frankfurt to reach the semi-final - win the tournament, they would secure automatic qualification to the Champions League next term.
There's a scenario - albeit extremely unlikely - that either side could be one of a staggering seven English clubs to make it into the competition. Both Man United and Spurs could do with the payday that comes with entry into the Champions League, but how could another six clubs join them at the top table?
As has been standard for many years now, the Premier League is guaranteed a quartet of places in the Champions League for those who finish in the top four. Liverpool are set to win the division, with only two more wins required, meaning Arne Slot's men are sure to be in the hat next season.
Arsenal sit in second place currently with Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Manchester City, Chelsea and Aston Villa all fighting for a place in the top five of the Premier League. The division is set to be granted an extra place due to the coefficient and English clubs' performances in Europe this term.
So, that adds up to six with the top five and either one of Man Utd or Spurs if they lift the Europa League. So, how could there be seven clubs in the tournament come the start of 2025/26?
Well, in the unlikely event that Mikel Arteta's Arsenal drop out of the top five, but also win the Champions League, it would open the door to whoever replaces them in the Premier League's first five positions
