MANCHESTER UNITED squandered the chance to book their place in the Champions League knockout stages by losing at home to Paris Saint-Germain.
And now they know exactly what they need to do in order to progress when they face RB Leipzig away next Tuesday.
A Neymar double either side of Marquinho’s close-range finish secured a 3-1 victory for the French champions at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Marcus Rashford had equalised just after the half-hour mark when his strike took a wicked deflection off Danilo Pereira and beyond Keylor Navas.
And a draw would have been enough to secure their spot in the next phase of the competition.
But the defeat – as well as RB Leipzig’s 4-3 win over Istanbul Basaksehir – mean it is all to play for in the final round of Group H fixtures.
Here’s everything you need to know about Manchester United’s trip to Leipzig…
How does it stand at the moment?
United, PSG and RB Leizpig are all on nine points with three wins and two defeats each.
United have a better head-to-head record over Leipzig, Leipzig over PSG and PSG over United.
So then it comes down to goal difference which United lead the way on with +6, PSG second on +3 and Leipzig third on -2.
What do Manchester United need to qualify?
Quite simply, a draw.
United know that avoiding defeat in Germany next week will be enough to go through.
That is because they would finish on ten points – the same as Leipzig.
But head-to-head record now takes priority when two teams are level on points so a draw together with the 5-0 win back in October puts United above the Bundesliga side.
Should the Red Devils win, of course, they would be ahead of RB Leipzig on points.
If RB Leipzig vs United ends in a draw and PSG draw with Basaksehir, there would be a three-way tie on ten points at the top.
In that instance, it would come down to overall goal difference in the group meaning United and PSG would advance, just as the group is arranged after the fifth round of matches.
Can they finish top of the group?
Yes, Manchester United can still top Group G.
A win for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men in Germany would put them on 12 points.
So if PSG did not win – they have a better head-to-head over United – at home to Istanbul, United would top the group.
Also if both matches end in draws next week, the standings would stay as they are with United top, PSG second and RB Leipzig third.
What if they lose?
They’re out.
United know defeat will eliminate them from the Champions League.
That is because Leipzig would move past them on to 12 points and PSG, even if they lose at home, would jump above due to their superior head-to-head record.
If the Old Trafford club do lose, therefore, they will drop down into the Europa League by finishing third.
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