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If it won't be galling enough for Manchester City to be banned from the Champions League, having to relinquish their spot to neighbours Manchester United would provide the rancid coating for a pretty bitter pill.

As things stand, the Blues are banned from Europe for two years. Those in charge at the Etihad remain confident that the verdict will be overturned, so confident in fact that they are pressing on to get their appeal heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in a move that makes attempts by United and other top-ten clubs to get involved in the case look even sillier.

Ultimately that decision is out of City hands though, and if Pep Guardiola and his players can do nothing about that they can feel disappointed if United are the club that benefit in the Champions League.

UEFA announced on Thursday that if the season can't be completed then leagues must decide places for European competitions on sporting merit. Based on points per game on the current standings, United in fifth would stand to gain the fourth Champions League spot if City's punishment stands for next season.

United's placing is based on 28 games but their six points over City should rankle the Blues. They were too easily picked apart at the Etihad in December, and - perhaps more worryingly - outfought and outthought in March at Old Trafford, the last league game the two teams played and the one that could have boosted United up to fifth in the nick of time.

For all the many things that Guardiola has got right during his time in charge, his record in Manchester derbies has not reflected the superiority City have had over their closest rivals in that period. In what has been a season of ups and downs, losing three of four meetings with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side has to go down as one of the biggest lows.

The league table will say that Manchester is still blue but those United victories - especially with no football since the most recent of them - has suggested, correctly or otherwise, that the gap between the teams is closer than the standings would suggest. The six points that United have taken from City this season could allow United to make out that the gulf is even narrower, pointing out a team on the rise that could be able to offer Champions League football where the Blues cannot.

A decision from CAS or elsewhere in City's favour would help keep their neighbours at arm's length, relegating them to another season of Europa League football if the standings are taken as they are. The Blues may not be able to dictate whether they remain in the Champions League, but the prospect of United replacing them should make them sit up and take notice.

If they want their dominance in Manchester to be clear, they cannot afford to help United out as they have this season.