Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham need City to win FA Cup to avoid JULY Europa League qualifying
If the Citizens don't lift the trophy, whoever finishes sixth in the Premier League will drop into the Europa League second qualifying round
MANCHESTER CITY'S top six rivals should be praying Pep Guardiola's team win the FA Cup.
While United fans would never normally support their cross-city rivals, a Citizens failure could mean dire consequences.
If City win the FA Cup, whoever finishes sixth in the Premier League will go straight into the Europa League group stages.
But if Wolves, Brighton or Watford scoop the silverware, they would land the group spot and the sixth-placed outfit will enter at the second qualifying round.
And that would mean United, Chelsea, Arsenal or Tottenham would end up facing the prospect of a long away trip in July.
The first-leg of the second qualifying round takes place on Thursday July 25 - TWO-AND-A-HALF WEEKS before the first weekend of Premier League action.
An early start to the campaign would derail pre-season training and may also hit lucrative tours of America or Asia.
Early next month, City take on Brighton at Wembley - and may have a few extra fans hoping for success.
Wolves and Watford take part in the other semi-final with both sides more than capable of throwing a spanner in the works as Pep Guardiola seeks the quadruple.
Meanwhile, Chelsea's defeat to Everton left the top-four race wide open.
Just four points separate Spurs in third and the Blues in sixth, with Wolves too far off to mount a late run.
Pep Guardiola's Citizens - chasing an unprecedented quadruple - are two points behind leaders Liverpool with a game in hand.