Southampton clinches Europa League spot, West Ham made to wait
Both Southampton and Manchester United will play Europa League football next season.
The Saints secured a win over Crystal Palace on Sunday to move into fifth place and guarantee a spot in the Europa League, while West Ham's loss to Stoke City confirmed United's participation in the competition - unless the Red Devils can register a 19-goal win over Bournemouth to pip rival Manchester City to fourth place.
WE'RE HEADING BACK TO EUROPE!#SaintsFC have qualified for the @EuropaLeague! #WeMarchOn pic.twitter.com/VhmpRaFHtM
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) May 15, 2016
United's match at Old Trafford was abandoned after security officials discovered a suspicious package on the ground, and the Premier League announced it would rearrange the match "as soon as practically possible."
| # | GP | GD | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Manchester City | 38 | 30 | 66 |
| 5 | Southampton | 38 | 18 | 63 |
| 6 | Manchester United | 37 | 12 | 63 |
| 7 | West Ham | 38 | 14 | 62 |
By virtue of the win and superior goal difference, Southampton can finish no lower than sixth, meaning it can count on a berth in the Europa League's qualifying round at the very least.
However, West Ham could still qualify for Europe's second-tier tournament if United wins the FA Cup.
United faces Crystal Palace in the Wembley showpiece on May 21, but it is uncertain when it will host Bournemouth.
The bitter blow will be the likely absence of football on the red half of Manchester. City all but clinched a sixth consecutive Champions League berth with a 1-1 draw at Swansea City.