Manchester United Champions league hope revitalized as Manchester City draw against Swansea

Manchester United hope of qualifying to next season's UEFA champions league is renewed after Manchester city draw with Swansea

Manchester United face one of the toughest tests since their existence as they fight for a Champions League spot with only one match to go. Currently sitting at the sixth place, two places below their rivals Man City, the Red Devils need a miracle to qualify for next season’s Champions League action.

Mathematically, Louis Van Gaal’s men can still qualify for the coveted European competition but only if they beat Bournemouth by not less than 19 goals. Sounds impossible? No. In the world of football, anything is possible.

The Red Devils will face The Cherries at a yet-to-be-confirmed date following the abandonment of their planned fixture due to security concerns at Old Trafford. A suspicious package that was discovered inside Old Trafford triggered the attention of fans and officials who had turned up for the crunch tie. The match was postponed to allow bomb experts and law enforcers to comb the stadium for dangerous packages.

Back to the race for a Champions League spot, the two city rivals are separated by three points, but Manuel Pellegrini’s side has a higher goal difference of 18 goals. Hence, Louis Van Gaal’s men need to score at least 19 goals to topple the Etihad outfit from the fourth spot.

Failure to secure a Champions League spot and the FA Cup could mark the final days of LVG’s career at Old Trafford.

Rooney hat-trick fires Manchester United to champions league group stage

Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney ended a 10-game scoring drought by grabbing a hat trick in Manchester United 4-0 win at bruge that progressed Van Gaal's side into the champions league group stage on Wednesday.

Rooney's confidence grew after putting his side on top in the 20th minute with a lobbed finish over the diving goalkeeper. The Skipper added more goals in the 49th and 57th minutes as Bruges' defense was repeatedly opened up.

Rooney waste a great chance for his fourth goal before Ander Herrera wrapped up the win in the 63rd minute. Javier Hernandez missed a penalty in the 81st to make it almost 5-0 after being handed the chance by Rooney, United penalty taker.

"It was a big disappointment last year not to challenge in (the Champions League)," Rooney said. "It was vital we went through any way we could.

Rooney scoring form was the biggest concern for Manchester United as they approached the season although he insisted it was only a matter of time before he got back to his scoring form.

Manchester United won 7-1 on aggregate and returned to Europe's premier competition after a one-year absence.

Monaco defeat was unfair - Jardim

Monaco coach Jardim described their defeat as unfair, stating that opportunities created were not approprately utilised and poor defending away from home.

Valencia took the lead in the UEFA Champions league play-off tie by the fourth minute strike from Sofiane Feghouli at the Mestalla on Wednesday.

Daniel Parejo second half strike restored Valencia lead after Pasalic's 49th-minute equaliser levelled Rodrigo de Paul's opener.

It was not the scoreline monaco hoped for, with Jardim rueing a brilliant save from debutant Valencia keeper Mathew Ryan, who pushed Bernardo Silva's strike into the post in the first half, but the portuguese boss haas not given up hope of reaching the group stage.

'The result is unfair for two reasons. First, we hit the post. if that had gone in, it would have changed the rest of the game'. Jardim was quoted as saying by UEFA.COM

'Also, when we were playing better valencia added their second and third goal'

"Conceding goals, from balls across the area, is bad. This is not normal for our team and we need to correct it.

"We have to score two goals at home, we have the ambition to try and win this tie."

Monaco welcome Valencia to the Stade Louis II for Tuesday's return leg.

Can Monaco still make it to the UEFA Champions league?