The question of just how important playing in Europe’s elite club competition is to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Manchester United felt particularly pertinent on a night when the result at Stamford Bridge brought the concertina of clubs chasing fourth place closer together.



It was a draw against Chelsea last season that finally extinguished the faint glimmer of United’s Champions League ambitions and Stamford Bridge could have been the terminus for Solskjaer’s side this campaign.



Defeat would have left a nine-point gap to fourth and, while one rung down the ladder might ultimately yet yield a Champions League spot next season, nobody at Old Trafford can bank on Manchester City being denied their place during or after the fullness of their appeal to CAS.



Yes, United are in the midst of a rebuild, but their final placing may have a significant impact on who might be persuaded to sign for the club in what promises to be a crucial summer of...