LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Matheus Cunha of Manchester United celebrates scoring their first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on April 18, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Nothing is confirmed yet, but Manchester United’s away win over Chelsea put Michael Carrick’s team in an extremely strong position to finish in the top five of the Premier League. This would grant United access to next season’s Champions League and could potentially change the landscape for the Old Trafford club in a number of ways.

First of all, it would seriously bolster Carrick’s chances of landing the Manchester United head coach job on a permanent basis. The former midfielder has clearly pointed the team in the right direction again, winning eight of his 12 matches in charge. United is in much better shape with Carrick at the helm.

It would also help Manchester United strengthen in the summer transfer window. Not only would the finances of Champions League qualification boost the transfer budget, having European soccer will surely help the club attract better players. This could help United reach the next level.

Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens during the Premier League match at the Stamford Bridge, London. Picture date: Saturday April 18, 2026. (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images)

Not so long ago, Manchester United couldn’t help itself from being wasteful in the transfer market. It didn’t matter whether or not it qualified for the Champions League because the club’s front office was never set up to correctly identify talent and get deals done to improve the squad.

However, the situation might have changed. Last summer, Manchester United signed Matheus Cunha, Senne Lammens, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko and all four new additions have been a success in their first season at the club. Each has contributed to the recent upswing in form.

Cunha scored the winning goal against Chelsea on Saturday and has given United another attacker capable of producing a special moment out of nothing. Meanwhile, Mbeumo has contributed nine goals from his position on the right side of the attack. The Cameroonian is a perpetual threat.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United scores his team's first goal whilst under pressure from Axel Disasi of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at London Stadium on February 10, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Then there’s Sesko, who still isn’t the finished product, but has managed to reach double figures in all competitions this season. The Slovenian centre forward is improving all the time and Carrick has done a lot to protect him and not throw him into the deep end, often using him off the bench.

Lammens looks like being Manchester United’s best-value signing in years, giving Carrick a dependable goalkeeper when it was a problem position not so long ago. Factor in the signing of Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven and United can feel good about the shift in its transfer strategy of late.

Of course, Manchester United is still a long way from where it wants to be and Champions League qualification will place additional strain on its squad next season, meaning more reinforcements will be required over the summer. Something, however, has finally changed at Old Trafford.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com