What results do Man Utd need to qualify for Champions League knockout stages?

Manchester United’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stages of the Champions League suffered a huge blow on Wednesday, and Erik ten Hag’s side will now need an unlikely set of results in two weeks’ time if they’re to qualify for the last-16.

United’s 3-3 draw against Galatasaray typified the chaotic nature of their European campaign this season. Erik ten Hag’s side had led 2-0 and then 3-1 in Istanbul, and put in an impressive offensive showing, but a lack of defensive organisation ultimately cost the team.

It’s been a recurring theme for United, who have conceded 14 goals in five Champions League matches this season and have won just one of those matches. That has left the team on four points and in bottom place - but United can still secure their place in the last-16 if certain results go their way in the final matchday on 12 December, thanks to Bayern Munich and Copenhagen drawing 0-0 on Wednesday night.

How does the table look?

After five games of Group A, it’s Bayern who are top on 13 points. Next, it’s Copenhagen and Galatasaray on five points, and it’s the Danish champions who currently occupy second place due to their better goal difference. United are at the rear of the table on four points.

What results do Man Utd need in two weeks?

With the top two sides moving onto the knockout rounds, it’s all still to play for in Group A.

For United to progress they must beat Bayern at Old Trafford in two weeks’ time. That seems like a daunting prospect, but the Bundesliga champions have already secured top spot and could rotate for the final match of the group.

A victory over Bayern would leave United on seven points and they’ll also need Copenhagen and Galatasaray to draw in Denmark if they’re to qualify. If either side win at the Parken Stadium, they’ll move onto eight points, a tally United can't better.

It’s simple: a United win and a draw between Copenhagen and Galatasaray is the only result that will see the Red Devils take second place.

It’s also worth noting that if United finish third they’ll drop into the Europa League play-offs and face a side that have finished second in the group stage of Europe’s secondary competition. A bottom-place finish for United would mean their exploits on the continent are be over for another year.