Manchester United are battling for a spot in the Champions League and it remains to be seen how many spots the Premier League is awarded for next season’s competition

Manchester United’s Champions League hopes were boosted on Tuesday night after Arsenal sealed their European progression into the competition’s quarter-final stage. The Gunners defeated Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 thanks to goals from Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice.

The Premier League is hoping to retain a fifth spot for Europe’s top competition. To do so, they need to place among the top two teams in UEFA’s coefficient rankings.

Heading into this week’s ties, England topped the rankings ahead of Spain and Germany. The nation holds a substantial lead over Germany, who effectively lagged behind by 33 total points heading into this round of fixtures.

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Arsenal’s win over Leverkusen offers a boost on two levels. The Premier League did receive blows as Manchester City and Chelsea crashed out of the competition, however.

City’s result matches their effort from last season as they failed to make the top eight for the second season in a row. Chelsea were not in the competition last term, although Aston Villa did make the quarter-finals when they qualified.

Newcastle and Liverpool play tomorrow night, looking to remain in the tournament. The Magpies head to Barcelona on level terms, while Arne Slot’s side welcome Galatasaray, needing to overcome a 1-0 deficit.

United currently sit in third place following their inspired form since Michael Carrick took the reins. The new head coach has tasted just one defeat in the Premier League.

The 13-time Premier League champions are three points ahead of Aston Villa in fourth, and five points ahead of Liverpool, who are fifth. United hold a six-point lead over Chelsea, who sit sixth, outside of the possible Champions League qualification spots.

Carrick believes his side are embracing the pressure of chasing European football. “I think we’re always in a test,” he said.

“It’s always about what’s next, what you’re going to react [like], whether you’ve won, whether you haven’t won. What’s going to be the reaction? What’s the emotions in the group? What’s the motivation for the next game? And driving that forward.

“I understand with it being the first defeat it feels a little bit different, but it’s going to come at some point. It’s a tough league. Most teams, if not every team, has suffered that in recent times so it’s putting things in perspective and putting it in a shape where we can improve.

“We’ve taken a lot of confidence from [games recently] as a group and what we show we can achieve and how we play. It’s an important game, there’s no getting away from it. It’s a fantastic game.

“We’ve put ourselves in a position now where there’s an awful lot to play for so really embracing the situation and looking forward to the next game.”

Manchester City exited the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid on Tuesday night but Abdukodir Khusanov delivered an excellent showing

07:00, 18 Mar 2026

On a night of Etihad chaos Abdukodir Khusanov was calmness personified.

In the white hot heat of battle against a side who raise themselves like no other in the Champions League, against a player among the best in the world, against a side with a commanding match advantage and a man advantage, he stood strong.

The 22-year-old delivered an exceptional showing, largely shackling Vinicius Jr despite the Brazilian ending the night with two goals as Real Madrid won 2-1 to complete a 5-1 aggregate success and end City’s Champions League campaign for another year.

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Despite the defeat, there was plenty to like about City’s performance in defeat. The Blues started the game well and were on top until the contest turned on Bernardo Silva’s red card and Vinicius converting from the resultant penalty.

City showed enough to suggest they are capable of challenging for silverware at the highest level and Khusanov showed he belonged on the highest stage.

Slotting in at centre back, having been utilised on the right in the first leg, he produced an exceptional and error-free performance. His pace is a huge asset, his positional sense was superb and his decision making spot on.

In the early stages when Real countered with intent, it was Khusanov who stopped them in their tracks. He earned a rapturous reception from an impressed Etihad crowd and it set the tone for a coming of age performance from the youngster.

If this City side are to grow and improve together, then Khusanov can be a part of it for years to come.

City’s European campaign might be over for another season, but Khusanov’s journey is only just beginning.

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Manchester City welcome Real Madrid to the Etihad Stadium in their Champions League round of 16 second leg tonight.

Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium will have an entire tier closed off when Real Madrid visit in the Champions League tonight. The top tier of the North Stand has been closed recently due to the club expanding their stadium’s capacity and improving facilities.

The top tier of the stadium, once completed, will hold 7,000 extra supporters. As this project involves extensive construction work, that area of the stadium has been closed off for the entirety of the campaign and will remain empty for the clash with Real.

In their autumn progress report, City said the top tier of the North Stand would reopen for supporters before the end of this season. However, the other new additions to the stadium – including a 401-bed hotel, fanzone, new superstore and museum – will be opening in late 2026.

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Once fans are allowed into the top tier of the North Stand, the Etihad Stadium’s capacity will reach more than 60,000. For context, Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium holds 60,704 and Liverpool’s Anfield houses 61,276 supporters. As part of the work, the old roof on the North Stand has been removed and a new one added.

A new screen is already in place in the south-east corner of the stadium that mainly benefits those in the North Stand, while there have also been improvements to the concourses. In total, the work will cost £300m and will sit alongside the new 23,500 capacity Co-op Live as the regeneration of east Manchester continues.

City have a mountain to climb this evening. Federico Valverde’s first-half hat-trick at the Bernabeu last week has left City on the verge of elimination, but the Blues have hammered Real before and will hope to do so again as they aim to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

Manchester City trail by three goals going into Tuesday’s Champions League second-leg against Real Madrid

Bernardo Silva believes Pep Guardiola shares his frustration for not winning the Champions League more with Manchester City. City’s hopes of progressing are hanging by a thread after Real Madrid ran out 3-0 winners in their Round of 16 leg last week.

The Portuguese international hopes they can expose Los Blancos’ secret to success to move into the quarter-finals. But in doing so, they will need to overcome the three-goal deficit in order to stand a chance of progression.

Under the guidance of the Catalan tactician, City earned their maiden crown when they completed a famous treble in 2023, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. Guardiola’s side have a mountain to climb against the record holders of the competition on Tuesday. Speaking o Gabriel Clarke ahead of Prime Video’s UEFA Champions League coverage of Manchester City vs. Real Madrid, Silva revealed that he felt they should’ve had more success in Europe.

READ MORE: Pep Guardiola fending off Real Madrid suspicions as spotlight shines on unusual Man City approachREAD MORE: Mbappe, Bellingham, Mendy – Real Madrid injury news and return dates ahead of Man City

He said: “I’m not happy so he’s probably not very happy. Of course one is better than zero, and we are very happy with the one we have won, but with the team that we have and the way our team has played in the past, we should have won more.”

Madrid have established themselves as serial winners of the competition in the modern era and on course to their European dominance, they have proved to be knockout experts.

City and their Premier League rivals, Chelsea, have previously succumbed to Real Madrid in the latter stages of the competition. Liverpool have been beaten twice in the final in the last 10 years to the Spanish giants.

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Silva highlighted Real’s three key ingredients to success but says they need the tide to turn on Tuesday. He said: “Confidence, character, personality, the little details.

“In this competition, it’s not always about the best team, or who plays better, it’s about all the little things that Madrid are really good at. We have been good in moments, and hopefully tomorrow we can turn the tide and put on a good performance.

“The higher the level, the finer the margins and those little details make all the difference.”

City are staring down the barrel of a Champions League elimination after reaching at least the quarter-finals in five out of the last six years.

Guardiola’s side will be seeking to avenge their exit in the playoff knockout last season when Madrid beat them 6-3 on aggregate.

Silva, who has become an integral figure in City’s squad since signing from AS Monaco, believes they have to go against Guardiola’s beliefs and make it a chaotic encounter with the La Liga giants.

The 31-year-old said: “The key is belief, even in minute sixty. In football a lot of things can happen, and we can create a lot, it’s happened in the past where we scored two or three goals in 10-15 minutes so we can do it.

“Sometimes I think we need to do the opposite of what Pep wants – which is a very controlled game – as tomorrow maybe a bit more of a chaotic game is needed, we need to try and create different outcomes as it’s not a normal game.”

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Manchester City have reached the UEFA Champions League round of 16 where they face Real Madrid on March 17. Fans can watch the game for free with an Amazon Prime subscription or 30-day trial.

Manchester City face Real Madrid in the Champions League tonight, trailing 3-0 from the first leg of their last-16 tie.

Manchester City have a mountain to climb in the Champions League tonight as they seek to overcome a 3-0 first-leg last-16 deficit against Real Madrid.

Federico Valverde’s hat-trick in the Bernabeu means City’s European hopes hang by a thread heading into the second leg at the Etihad but Blues boss Pep Guardiola and his squad believe they can mount a sensational comeback.

To do so they will have to defend better than they did in the first leg and City could revert to what has been their first choice back four to try and shut Real out. Abdukodir Khusanov started at right back against Madrid last week in part to combat Vini Jr’s pace on that flank, but Mathues Nunes could come back in given he offers a bit more going forward and City need goals.

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Ruben Dias and Marc Guehi are set to start in central defence while Rayan Ait-Nouri, left out in Madrid, can come back in on the left. That would allow Nico O’Reilly to move into midfield alongside the experienced Rodri and Bernardo Silva.

Erling Haaland, despite being short of goals, will surely start up front and the big question marks surround the other two places. Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki look the men most likely to create chances and offer the attacking unpredictability that City will need to break down a Real defence.

Cherki seems best placed to provide the service to Haaland while Doku was a constant threat in the opening stages last week. Leaving out Antoine Semenyo would be a bold call but he can offer a threat from the bench.

“The selection I have already more or less. I know the team that is going to start tomorrow,” Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference on Monday. “I don’t have any doubts. One doubt maybe but the rest is clear.”

City predicted XI: Donnaurmma, Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, Bernardo, O’Reilly; Doku, Cherki, Haaland.

Manchester City face Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday and one former star who played for both clubs previously reflected on how his time at City came to an end

Emmanuel Adebayor accused Manchester City of freezing him out of the squad upon returning from his loan spell at Real Madrid in 2011. The two clubs are set to meet in the return leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

The Togo international had written his name into City folklore shortly after joining from Arsenal. He infamously ran the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the opposition fans after scoring against the Gunners in 2009. However, Adebayor would only spend one-and-a-half seasons at the club.

He scored 14 goals in 31 games in the 2009/10 campaign but soon fell out of favour with City boss Roberto Mancini the following year. The striker was allowed to join Real Madrid on loan in January 2011 but was forced to return to his parent club that summer after a permanent move to Los Blancos failed to materialise.

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It became clear that Adebayor was not part of Mancini’s plans but the striker was vocal about the club’s lack of communication. Adebayor claimed to have been told he was not part of City’s pre-season tour of the USA by the football director’s secretary, rather than Mancini or another senior club official.

“This is very hurtful and insulting and says a lot about Manchester City,” Adebayor told The Sun. “On the one hand they want to become the biggest, most successful club in the world, yet the people who run the club are not acting in that way at all.

“No one at City is man enough to speak to me face-to-face to explain. I just received an email from Brian Marwood’s secretary telling me to report for training on July 9.

“But when I spoke to the other players, I found out the first team was leaving for the pre-season tour of the US on July 8. So it’s clear they don’t want me here but no one even called.

“Brian Marwood just got his secretary to send me an email. And I heard this was the same with at least six other players.”

Adebayor’s teammate Craig Bellamy was also critical of City during the same summer transfer window. Meanwhile, Mancini had previously addressed Adebayor’s future after the City loanee scored twice for Real Madrid in a Champions League quarter-final.

“I am happy for him that he is scoring goals and I hope he can continue to score,” the City manager said in April 2011. “At the end of the season we will see. If he wants to stay, he can. I am happy for Manu because he is a good player.”

Despite appearing to leave the door open, Adebayor, who scored eight in 22 games during his time in Madrid, did not rejoin Mancini’s team. Instead, he signed for Tottenham Hotspur on a season-long loan.

The striker proved to be prolific under Harry Redknapp, netting 18 goals in all competitions, and later sealed a £5million move to Spurs in 2012. Adebayor’s last appearance for City had come more than 18 months before his permanent exit.

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Manchester City have reached the UEFA Champions League round of 16 where they face Real Madrid on March 17. Fans can watch the game for free with an Amazon Prime subscription or 30-day trial.

Manchester City are aiming to overturn a three-goal deficit at the Etihad Stadium against Real Madrid tonight

Manchester City welcome Real Madrid to the Etihad Stadium tonight as they aim to overturn a 3-0 first leg defeat in the Champions League round of 16. The Blues were not at their best in Madrid as they succumbed to a first half hat-trick from Federico Valverde.

Pep Guardiola’s side improved in the second half and could have pulled one back but for a smart save from Thibaut Courtois. In his pre-match press conference, Guardiola did not provide any injury hints. He suggested he had already picked his team for tomorrow night but for one unnamed position.

City were given the day off from training as they recover for the massive game. With this in mind, MEN Sport has taken a look at the latest injury news from the Real camp.

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Kylian Mbappe

Injury: Knee

The Frenchman was in the stands last week as he watched Real put themselves on top. Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed Mbappe would not play against Elche but would travel to Manchester and that has proven to be the case. The forward was named in Real’s 26-man squad on Monday.

Potential return date: March 17 vs Manchester City

Jude Bellingham

Injury: Hamstring

Bellingham joined Mbappe in the stands last Wednesday but has been included in the travelling squad for tomorrow’s game. Whether he plays remains to be seen considering his lengthy absence.

Potential return date: March 17 vs Manchester City

Ferland Mendy

Injury: Muscular

During the victory over City, Mendy was replaced after picking up a muscular injury. He did not play against Elche and is not in the travelling squad this week.

Potential return date: March

Alvaro Carreras

Injury: Calf

Mendy replaced Carreras while the left-back was injured with a minor calf issue. The former Manchester United man has since recovered and is in the travelling squad to face City.

Potential return date: March 17 vs Manchester City

David Alaba

Injury: Calf

Like Carreras, Alaba struggled with his calf last week but has since returned and has travelled to Manchester.

Potential return date: March 17 vs Manchester City

Dani Ceballos

Injury: Calf

Unlike his teammates, Ceballos will not return this week. His calf injury is a long-term issue for Real Madrid.

Potential return date: April

Eder Militao

Injury: Hamstring

The defender suffered a serious hamstring injury in December and has not featured since. He has not travelled with the Real squad to England.

Potential return date: April

Rodrygo

Injury: Knee

Real’s winger has had surgery on his ACL and will not be back until the end of the year. The Brazil international is guaranteed to miss the World Cup this summer.

Potential return date: November/December

Manchester United face two of their top-four rivals in the next five Premier League matches as the battle to secure a place in the Champions League intensifies

Manchester United strengthened their hopes of securing a Champions League return after sweeping aside top-four rivals Aston Villa 3-1 on Sunday afternoon.

Casemiro gave the Reds the lead just after half-time but Villa responded to equalise through Ross Barkley. However, Michael Carrick’s side showed character to go back in front as Matheus Cunha found the net before Benjamin Sesko gave United a two-goal advantage late on to seal a crucial three points.

The result has kept United in third, three points above fourth-place Aston Villa and Liverpool in fifth, and six points ahead of Chelsea in sixth. As England are expected to have an additional spot in the Champions League for next season, United need a maximum of 18 points from their remaining eight matches to secure a top five finish.

And a win against Bournemouth on Friday would give them a nine-point buffer above sixth place heading into the rest of next weekend’s Premier League fixtures. And with that in mind, the Manchester Evening News has taken a look at United’s next five top-flight matches compared to their rivals in the race for the Champions League…

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Manchester United next five fixtures

Bournemouth (A) – March 20, 8pm kick-off

Leeds (H) – April 13, 8pm kick-off

Chelsea (A) – April 18, 8pm kick-off

Brentford (H) – April 27, 8pm kick-off

Liverpool (H) – May 2, TBC kick-off

Aston Villa next five fixtures

West Ham (H) – March 22, 2.15pm kick-off

Nottingham Forest (A) – April 11, 3pm kick-off

Sunderland (H) – April 18, 3pm kick-off

Fulham (A) – April 25, 12.30pm kick-off

Tottenham (H), May 2, TBC kick-off

Liverpool next five fixtures

Brighton (A) – March 21, 12.30pm kick-off

Fulham (H) – April 11, 5.30pm kick-off

Everton (A) – April 19, 2pm kick-off

Crystal Palace (H) – April 25, 3pm kick-off

Man United (A) – May 2, TBC kick-off

Chelsea next five fixtures

Everton (A) – March 21, 5.30pm kick-off

Man City (H) – April 12, 4.30pm kick-off

Man United (H) – April 18, 8pm kick-off

Brighton (A) – April 26, 4.30pm kick-off

Nottingham Forest (H) – May 2, 3pm kick-off

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Manchester City suffered a 3-0 Champions League last 16 first leg defeat to Real Madrid, which means the club will have quite the obstacle to overcome in next week’s reverse at the Etihad Stadium

Victor Font believes that Barcelona have first dibs on “dream” target Erling Haaland, should Manchester City let their talisman leave the Etihad Stadium any time soon. The presidential candidate for the La Liga giants claims that Barca will have “priority” should Haaland also look to secure a move away from the Sky Blues.

The 53-year-old said: “Haaland is one of the best strikers in the world. We are convinced we will have priority to sign him if he wishes to take on a new challenge.”

He continued: “I am convinced these long contracts are not possible to be fulfilled. This is where we must be attentive to the situation of a player who loves Spain, who made statements about how amazed he was about Camp Nou when he came here.

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“Madrid has also wanted it, so making a movement that protects us and gives us this option, I am convinced that it can happen.”

It comes despite Haaland recently agreeing fresh terms with City which should keep him in Greater Manchester until at least 2034, as well as an understanding that there has been no contact between his camp and the Catalan titans.

The 25-year-old has been a revelation for the Sky Blues since joining from Borussia Dortmund in a £51million move in 2022, racking up 153 goals and 28 assists across all competitions from 186 appearances to date.

The Norwegian has also found the back of the net 22 times in the Premier League this season alone, and has been a key part of Pep Guardiola’s efforts to derail Arsenal from the top of the table as the race for the title heats up once more.

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Just seven points split a first-place Gunners and a second-place City, as the Sky Blues hold a game in hand over their Premier League rivals as well as an all-important six-point clash with Mikel Arteta’s side on home soil come April.

And with Arsenal only having eight games remaining to City’s nine, Arteta’s side will have to be perfect from now until may should they hope to claim their first league title in more than two decades.

It comes as City suffered a blow in their hopes of securing European silverware on Wednesday evening when they suffered a 3-0 loss at the hands of Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the first leg of their round of 16 tie.

Guardiola’s XI failed to respond to Federico Valverde’s first-half hat-trick on the night, as they head to the reverse clash at the Etihad Stadium come Tuesday, March 17 with a hefty deficit to turn around.

However, City will first turn their attention back to the Premier League as they travel to the London Stadium to take on a resurgent West Ham United come Saturday, March 14.

The Hammers have struggled for form this season, sitting 18th in the league standings and caught up in a relegation battle alongside Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United. Unbeaten in four of their last five in the league, however, Guardiola will not see the East London outfit as easy pickings.

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Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma denied Vinicius Jr from the penalty spot during the 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid

Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma appeared to play some mind games with Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr during his side’s 3-0 Champions League round of 16 first-leg defeat. City were blown away in the first half at the Bernabeu as Real captain Federico Valverde scored a 22-minute hat-trick.

Los Blancos had the chance to make it four in the second half when Vinicius Jr was fouled by Donnarumma. As he prepared to take the penalty, Donnarumma appeared to say: “Ha fatto il fenomeno.” This directly translates into English as: “He made the phenomenon.”

While in the literal sense, someone could say this as a compliment, Football Italia reports it is often used sarcastically to mock a player for trying to do too much and show off. Vinicius tried to wrong-foot the goalkeeper from the spot, only for the City man to save it.

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Pep Guardiola’s side were unable to capitalise on the save as Nico O’Reilly was denied by a superb Thibaut Courtois stop. After the match, Guardiola insisted that, despite the scoreline, he was pleased by his team’s performance.

“I think we played quite a good game,” he said. “I think we’ve tried to do our best and we could not create chances where Courtois could not intervene. We got to the box many times and when you were able to do that it means you have followed a good process but we didn’t score.

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“Real Madrid has always been very dangerous but I don’t have the feeling that Courtois has played a great game. He made a parry from Nico in the second half but we have reached that byline many times – six, seven, eight times – so we’ve done a good job, we were just missing this detail.

“If you dominate [Real] you always have this feeling of them being able to run but my feeling about ourselves is we’ve done quite a good job. But because the score is 3-0 that is a little bit useless.”