Man Utd face uphill task to reach Champions League, admits Fernandes

United players prepare to defend a City corner kick during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on March 3, 2024. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

Bruno Fernandes admits it will be tough for misfiring Manchester United to qualify for the Champions League after an 11th Premier League loss of the season at Manchester City.

Marcus Rashford fired unfancied United into a shock lead at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday only for two goals from the outstanding Phil Foden and a stoppage-time Erling Haaland strike to seal a 3-1 win for the defending champions.

It was the first time that City had ever come from behind to beat United in a Premier League match and the visitors suffered their first defeat in a league game in which they led at half-time since 2014.

Only twice in the Premier League era have United lost more than 11 matches in a season — 12 in 2013/14 and 2021/22.

The chastening loss at the home of their cross-town rivals leaves United 19 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool with 11 matches remaining.

But Erik ten Hag’s side are facing an uphill battle even to secure a return to the Champions League, which they exited at the group stage this season.

United sit sixth, 11 points off fourth-placed Aston Villa and six points behind Tottenham, who have a game in hand, in fifth spot, which could yet be enough for Champions League qualification.

“We need to look forward,” Fernandes told MUTV, as attention turns to Saturday’s encounter with embattled Everton at Old Trafford.

“We don’t depend only on ourselves to get in the positions we want. We’re not hiding from that.

“We want to be in the Champions League, we want to try until the