Liverpool's hopes of finishing in the Premier League's top four effectively ended with a 1-1 draw at Chelsea on Sunday. Liverpool is six points behind United with two games remaining and Louis van Gaal's fourth-place team has a far superior goal difference.
But with Arsenal two points ahead of United with two games in hand, Van Gaal might well have to go through a playoff in August to reach the Champions League group stage.
Returning United to the European elite was Van Gaal's priority after David Moyes' failure last season following Alex Ferguson's retirement.
Queens Park Rangers, though, is heading for the League Championship. A day after Burnley was relegated, QPR's fate was sealed with a 6-0 loss at Manchester City.
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