What Arsenal's defeat to Liverpool means for Manchester United’s Champions League hopes

Manchester United have been offered a glimmer of Champions League hope with Arsenal's loss to Liverpool on Wednesday - although very much remain outsiders for a top-four finish. The Gunners sit a point above the Reds in fourth with two games in hand over their rivals.

The situation is looking bleak for Ralf Rangnick, who was brought in to secure a top-four finish. United face a tough run-in with Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea still to play.

The former two are away from home while United must also travel to Everton, Brighton and Crystal Palace. A poor result at home to Leicester in their next outing on April 2 could well cost them that coveted fourth spot.

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More pressure will be heaped on Old Trafford should Arsenal beat Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday as they play one of their two games in credit. The club were riding a wave of a five-game winning run before the Liverpool loss. Mikel Arteta’s men have been playing some scintillating football and are currently favourites to bag that final Champions League spot.

The Gunners need 79 points to secure their target but will be all too aware of the tricky run-in ahead. After Villa, they travel to Crystal Palace who, should they defeat Everton on Saturday to make it to the FA Cup semi-final, will come back from the international break in high spirits after holding Manchester City to a goalless draw on Monday.

Later next month, they face consecutive fixtures against Chelsea, United and West Ham - a period that may define the top-four race, with the clash with United a potential ‘six-pointer’, depending how results go. And the North London derby with top-four challengers Tottenham - their