When can Manchester United secure Champions League football?

Louis van Gaal on verge of clinching minimum target for the season

Rooney subsequently said on the club’s in-house TV station that he would never have signed for City (Getty)

When Louis van Gaal took over last summer he was charged with returning Manchester United to the Champions League.

At times during the campaign, finishing among the top four sides in the Premier League has looked far from certain, even unlikely at moments.

However a return to Europe's elite competition looks inevitable - but just how soon can it be secured?

Manchester United currently sit on 65 points after 34 games. Their nearest rivals are Liverpool, who lost to Hull in midweek, sitting on 58 points after 34 games.

Working on the basis that Brendan Rodger's side win their remaining four matches, they would end the season with a total of 70 points - meaning Manchester United need six more to be guaranteed a top four finish.

Therefore, victory over West Brom at Old Trafford this weekend would mean Champions League football could be secured when Van Gaal takes his team to Selhurst Park to play Crystal Palace on Saturday 9 May.

A view of Selhurst Park, home of Crystal Palace (GETTY IMAGES)

United could potentially secure a top four finish before then. If they beat West Brom on Saturday and there are defeats for Liverpool, Tottenham and Southampton, then the Red Devils will be impossible to catch. Liverpool play at home to QPR and Southampton play Sunderland away on Saturday. Tottenham host Manchester City on Sunday.

MANCHESTER UNITED FIXTURES: West Brom (H, Sat 2 May), Crystal Palace (A, Sat 9 May), Arsenal (H, Sun 17 May), Hull (A, Sun 24 May)

LIVERPOOL FIXTURES: QPR (H, Sat 2 May), Chelsea (A, Sun 10 May), Crystal Palace (H, Sat 16 May), Stoke (A, Sun 24 May)