Manchester United could replace Manchester City in the champions league next season provided they finish fifth, and UEFA decide to ban Pep’s Guardiola men from competing next season. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has promised action “very soon” after it was alleged City had used sponsorship deals to circumvent Financial Fair Play regulations. The Premier League champions have not commented on Cerefin’s pledge to take strong action on what he called “a concrete case”.

Having been found guilty of breaching FFP rules in 2014, City would most likely face a ban from UEFA competition.

In turn, that would open the door for the competition’s fifth-placed team to replace them, provided Pep Guardiola’s side finish in the top four. 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.”