Reds could swipe Blues’ Euro place

CITY’S two-year UEFA ban from European competitions – including the Champions League and Europa League – could impact on United.

The Blues will appeal the decision via the Court of Arbitration of Sport.

But for now, Pep Guardiola and his players can’t take part in the Champions League next season.

And that has a major impact on the Premier League in this campaign.

If the ruling isn’t overturned, the team that finishes fifth in the table at the end of the season will be in line to take England’s fourth Champions League spot should the Blues finish in the top four.

And that means the Reds have a better chance of making it into Europe’s showpiece tournament under

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, despite having had a mixed season.

They lie six points behind fourthplace Chelsea - who they face at Stamford Bridge on Monday night but only four behind Sheffield United, who sit fifth after surprising the Premier League in their first season back in the top flight.

Arsenal lie in 10th, eight points off the fifth slot, but with a game in hand on some of the teams above them.

Article 4.08 of UEFA’s admission criteria and procedure states: “A club which is not admitted to the competition is replaced by the next best-placed club in the top domestic championship of the same association, provided the new club fulfils the admission criteria.” A lengthy appeals process could still mean City’s ban is not enforced in time for next season.