Manchester United could still be knocked out of the Champions League… if they lose 7-0

It's complicated, bear with us

Manchester United currently sit top of Group A in the Champions League on 12 points but it's still possible that José Mourinho's side will crash out of the competition tonight. CSKA Moscow and Basel both have 9 points at this moment in time, and the final fixtures on Tuesday evening are tasty.

• United v CSKA
• Benfica v Basel

If Basel and CSKA win their respective matches tonight, they will both be tied with Manchester United on 12 points.

However, in the Champions League, the head-to-head record between clubs is the first tiebreaker, as opposed to goal difference.

But... if three teams are tied on points... The top two is decided by a three-way head-to-head. Still with me? Good. Now, to prevent United from qualifying:

• CSKA must beat them by 7 goals, and Basel must also win in Portugal.

This would mean that, due to Basel beating CSKA in their head-to-head battle and the Russian side's theoretical 7-0 victory lifting them above United in the head-to-head mini league, the Red Devils would come third in the group and drop into the Europa League. With a Premier League title to chase, that would not be ideal. We all know how physical toll the Thursday-Sunday schedule can have on a squad. It's unlikely, but stranger things have happened - probably - and with a Manchester derby coming up at the weekend, Mourinho might just field a weakened side. https://twitter.com/MarcoReubs/status/938004944862547968