Go as the Euro race heats up

finish in the top four.

It’s become the bottom line for United managers, and it will be interesting to see if the playing field remains level should Mourinho also fail, particularly as he’s had much more money to spend than either of his predecessors.

Wenger has qualified for the Champions League 17 times on the trot. It’s become his Unique Selling Point.

If he decides to sign his new two-year deal before the end of the season it will obviously protect him should Arsenal – who are the least in-form team in the top seven – miss the top four.

But Gunners fans are already split on whether he should stay or go. Even the staunch “Remainers” might waver if he ends up sixth or seventh, with no FA Cup as consolation.

Klopp’s passion, charisma and track record have so far protected him from much more than quiet grumbling.

But if he misses the Champions League for the second year running many more questions will be asked, not least: “Is he really an upgrade on Brendan Rodgers?”

For most clubs, having played all the others in the top six twice going into the run-in is an advantage.

Not for Liverpool. They’ve been brilliant against the big boys but the prospect of facing Bournemouth, Stoke, West Brom, Crystal Palace, Watford, Southampton, West Ham and Middlesbrough in their last nine games must fill Klopp with dread!

Perhaps the man who would suffer the worst reputational damage by missing the top four is Guardiola.

Manuel Pellegrini qualified in each of his three seasons and Roberto Mancini in his last three. Both also won the Premier League.

Guardiola was not brought in to be worse than his predecessors, and while there’s no suggestion he would pay with his job, his aura of invincibility would be in tatters.