Manchester United Europa League Table: Why the Reds Are Missing From Europe in 2026

Manchester United Europa League Table: Why the Reds Are Missing From Europe in 2026

Honestly, if you're scouring the internet looking for the manchester united europa league table right now, you’re going to find a very empty space where the Red Devils used to be. It’s weird. For a club that basically lived in European competition for decades, seeing them completely absent from the 2025/26 UEFA standings is a bit of a gut punch for the fans.

While teams like Lyon, Athletic Club, and even Tottenham are battling it out in the new Swiss-style league phase, United is sitting at home. No Thursday nights in Kazakhstan. No knockout draws. Just a lot of Saturdays and Sundays focused on a domestic rebuild that has been, frankly, a massive roller coaster.

Where is Manchester United in the Europa League Table?

The short answer? They aren't in it.

If you look at the official 2025/26 Europa League standings, you'll see Lazio and Athletic Club duking it out at the top with 19 points each. You’ll see Tottenham sitting comfortably in 4th. But Manchester United? They didn't qualify.

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Last season—the 2024/25 campaign—was a total nightmare for the club. Despite some flashes of brilliance, they finished outside the European spots in the Premier League. To make matters worse, they didn't manage to snag a trophy in the FA Cup or Carabao Cup, which are the usual "back doors" into the Europa or Conference League.

So, when the 36-team league phase kicked off in September 2025, United fans were stuck watching from the sidelines. It’s actually the first time in years they’ve had such a light schedule. In fact, they’re only playing about 40 competitive games this entire season. That is the lowest number of fixtures for the club since the 1914-15 season. Think about that for a second.

The Impact of No European Football at Old Trafford

It's not just about the prestige. It's about the rhythm. Usually, by January, United would be sweating over a Matchday 7 or 8 fixture to secure a spot in the Round of 16. Instead, the focus is entirely on the Premier League table.

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Current Standing and Managerial Chaos

As of mid-January 2026, United is sitting in 7th place in the Premier League. It’s a bit of a mess.

  • Ruben Amorim is gone (left on January 5).
  • Darren Fletcher did a tiny stint as interim.
  • Michael Carrick just took over on January 13.

Basically, the club is trying to use the lack of European "distractions" to claw their way back into the Champions League spots. They are currently three points off the top four. If they can pull it off, this gap year from the Europa League might actually be seen as a turning point, though it doesn't feel like it when you're watching rivals play on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

What the Europa League Table Looks Like Without Them

If you’re curious about who is actually winning the competition United should have been in, the 2025/26 league phase is getting intense.

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  1. Lazio: Leading the pack with 6 wins and a draw.
  2. Athletic Club: Right on their heels, also on 19 points but with a slightly worse goal difference.
  3. Tottenham: Flying the flag for England in 4th place with 17 points.

It’s a weird new format. No more groups of four. It’s one giant table where every goal matters. Teams like Ajax and Porto are hovering in the middle, trying to avoid the knockout play-off round. United's absence is a huge financial hit, too. We're talking tens of millions in lost broadcasting revenue and gate receipts. Old Trafford is quiet on those midweek nights, and the local shops and pubs are definitely feeling the "Europe-sized" hole in their pockets.

Can They Get Back Into the Table Next Year?

That’s the big question. To get back into the manchester united europa league table (or ideally the Champions League) for the 2026/27 season, Michael Carrick has a mountain to climb.

The path is simple but difficult:

  • Finish in the Top 4: Direct entry to the Champions League.
  • Finish 5th or 6th: Likely Europa League qualification, depending on who wins the domestic cups.
  • Win the FA Cup: Well, actually, they can't. They were knocked out by Brighton 2-1 on January 11, 2026.

So, it's the league or nothing. Honestly, seeing Manchester United at 7th in the Premier League while the Europa League goes on without them is a stark reminder of how far the standards have slipped. Fans are split—some are happy for the rest, but most are just desperate to see the club back on the continental stage.

Actionable Insights for Fans Following the Standings:
Keep a close eye on the Premier League 5th place spot. With the new Champions League format, 5th place often earns a "performance slot" for the UCL. If England's coefficient is high enough (thanks to Spurs and Villa doing well in Europe right now), United could sneak into the big time even from 5th. If not, they’ll be fighting to simply see their name back in a Europa League table by this time next year.