What Manchester United need to secure top four Premier League finish & Champions League football

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Manchester United collected an important victory in their quest for Champions League football when they defeated Aston Villa on Sunday at Old Trafford.

The 1-0 win, secured courtesy of a Bruno Fernandes goal in the first half, cements Erik ten Hag's side's place in fourth spot in the Premier League table.

The Reds now have a seven-point cushion to the chasing pack with four teams trying to chase United down. Liverpool's thrilling late win over Tottenham has moved them above Spurs into fifth while Villa and Brighton - who have games in hand on all the clubs around them - are still in the European conversations.

Newcastle United, who came from a goal down to beat basement boys Southampton on Sunday, are two points clear of United having played a game more. ALSO READ: United player ratings vs Aston Villa And while it looks increasingly likely that the Magpies and Ten Hag's men will join Manchester City and Arsenal in the Champions League next season, there is still work for United to do in the closing month of the campaign.