Manchester United gain an unexpected double boost in race for Champions League qualification

Manchester United benefitted from two results in their hunt for Champions League qualification next season on Wednesday night.

Firstly thanks to a late Anthony Elanga goal against Atletico Madrid, United will return to Old Trafford on even footing with the Spanish side. Unfortunately, the away goals rule no longer counts in the competition, but the team will hope that the home-field advantage will be enough to carry them through.

And secondly, one of United's rivals for a top-four place, Tottenham Hotspur, fell to defeat against Burnley.

This is a great result as many United fans were worried after the London side defeated Manchester City 3-2 at the weekend, that Spurs would kick on and pose an issue later in the season, but they have lost four of their last five games, so it looks unlikely Antonio Conte will be able to turn the mentality of the squad around.

And the Italian manager was understandably irate after the game telling the media: "The reality is this. We lost four games of the last five. No one deserves this type of situation – the club, me, the payers and fans, but this is the reality.

"I came in to try to improve the situation in Tottenham, but maybe in this moment, I don't know, I'm not so good to improve the situation. For me, it's very frustrating because I know we're working hard, working a lot and trying to get the best out of every single player. The reality is this.

"I'm too honest to close my eyes and say: "OK, on Saturday we're going to play another game". It's right at the moment to see well, what is the situation well and to make an assessment. Also, I repeat: I'm really frustrated, and I'm not used to being faced with this type of situation."

The general interview gave the sense that Conte was