David Moyes
Moyes' side could be forced to cut-short their pre-season plans.

Manchester United will participate in the pre-season International Champions Cup competition against the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City despite uncertainty over which European competition they will play in next season.

United are seven points off a Champions league place and five points adrift of an automatic Europa League spot but a late season charge could yet see them qualify for Europe.

Should Manchester City win the League Cup at the end of February in the final against Sunderland and remain in the Premier League top four, and United finish the season in sixth, David Moyes' side will be forced to enter the competition at the third qualifying round.

And as things stand, after United confirmed their participation in a pre-season tournament in America across July and August which also includes AC Milan and Real Madrid, the current champions would be forced to withdraw in order to qualify.

The first leg of the Europa League third qualifying round, which United could be involved, takes place on the 31 July with the second leg scheduled for 7 August.

Any withdrawal would be hugely damaging to United, not least due to the financial implications, while the club are set to unveil their new shirt-sponsorship partnership with Chevrolet in the United States

The tournament is hosted from 26 July to 4 August across a series of cities across the US, with a stellar cast, completed by AS Roma, Inter Milan and Olympiakos, announced to compete. The final will take place at the Sun Life Stadium in Miami, home of the National Football League team Miami Dolphins.

Though United currently trail Liverpool, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur in their attempts to qualify for Europe, the January signing of Juan Mata has raised optimism and former defender Gary Pallister believes the club can still finish in the top four.

"I still think United can get there," said Pallister. "It could come down to a straight fight between United and Liverpool for fourth spot.

"With Luis Suarez working in tandem with Daniel Sturridge and Steve Gerrard pulling the strings behind them, Liverpool will be feeling confident of getting back in the Champions League after three years out.

"Obviously United have got to win the bulk of their remaining games now because they have already lost eight which is a huge amount at this stage of the season.

"It's still achievable but it's down to them. There is enough experience in that dressing room, players with Champions League medals and many Premier League titles, there are enough young players there as well, so they have a pretty good balance in terms of age in the squad."