Can Manchester United finish in the top four?

If they beat Bournemouth, United will draw level with Manchester City on 66 points but they would need to win by 19 clear goals to guarantee fourth and Champions League qualification given their rival’s vastly superior goal difference.

So fifth and the Europa League is the best United can really hope for?

Yes. A point would move them above Southampton and secure fifth position and, with it, entry into the Europa League group stage.

But what if they lose to Bournemouth?

That would mean United finishing sixth behind Southampton because the South Coast club have a better goal difference although Louis van Gaal’s team would still qualify for the Europa League group stage if they beat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday.

Southampton would also be assured of entry into the Europa League group stage. Furthermore, a United Cup win would earn seventh-placed West Ham United qualification for the Europa League, albeit at the third qualifying round stage.

What happens if United lose the FA Cup final and finish sixth in the Premier League?

In that scenario, United would enter the Europa League at the third qualifying round stage and effectively take the place vacated by the Capital One Cup winners, Manchester City, because they qualified for the Champions League. West Ham would miss out on Europe as a consequence.

How would that affect United?

The first leg ties of the Europa League third qualifying round are due to be played on July 28 with the second legs on August 4. United involvement would throw their planned pre-season tour of China into jeopardy given that they are due to play games against Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City on July 22 and July 25 respectively.

Wayne Rooney’s testimonial against Everton, provisionally slated for August 3 but with no formal date set, would also be affected.

Does it matter to Bournemouth where they finish?

Yes. Victory would move Eddie Howe’s team up from sixteenth position to fourteenth and earn the club an extra £2.5 million in prize money in the process.