How Man Utd can win the title as season draws to a close - all the permutations

Marc Skinner’s side are down to the final two games of the WSL season as they face rivals Manchester City and Liverpool over the next fortnight.

For a number of weeks title rivals Chelsea and Arsenal have had two games in hand on the Red Devils, however, with those games now being played each team is aware of exactly what they need to do to be crowned champions on Saturday 27 May.

At present it is Emma Hayes’ Chelsea side that sit atop of the WSL after their 4-0 win over West Ham United on Wednesday night, however, with both United and the Blues having tough games this weekend against sides within the top four - nothing is yet decided. One thing that is confirmed is that Manchester United will be in the UEFA Women’s Champions League next season for the very first time, in fact all they need to do to secure the runner’s up spot is take four points from their final two games.

Meanwhile, Skinner’s side will still be reeling from last weekend’s narrow 1-0 FA Cup final defeat to Hayes’ side, while Arsenal know there is still a slim chance they can claim the title themselves if they can edge past Chelsea this coming Sunday.

Here are the each of the top four team’s remaining fixtures:

Manchester United

21 May: Manchester City (H), 18:45

27 May: Liverpool (A), 14:30

Chelsea

21 May: Arsenal (H), 12:30

27 May: Reading (A), 14:30

Arsenal

21 May: Chelsea (A), 12:30

27 May: Aston Villa (H), 14:30

Manchester City

21 May: United (A), 18:45

27 May: Everton (H), 14:30

What needs to happens for Manchester United to win the WSL title?

Let’s get the simple stuff out of the way first.

If Chelsea gain maximum points in their remaining games then they will win the title by two clear points no matter what Manchester United do in their final two games. If Manchester United are to stand a chance of winning the WSL title, there are a number of factors which would need to happen.

If Chelsea were to drop points against either Arsenal or Reading, things could get interesting. If Chelsea were to lose one of their final two games, all United would need to do to claim the title is win both of their games. Should Chelsea draw one of their final two games and United win both, the title would then be go down to goal difference. At present, Chelsea have a superior goal difference of +46 to United’s +42.

Should both United and Chelsea both draw one of their final two games and win the other - Chelsea would be champions by two clear points. Should United draw or lose this weekend to Manchester City and Chelsea win against Arsenal, then Chelsea would win the title a week early.

Finally, should United pick up a win and a draw in their final two games but Chelsea were to win one and lose the other, Chelsea would still win the title by one point.