Saints will have to wait for the result of Saturday’s FA Cup final to discover whether they will avoid the qualification rounds of the Europa League.

Manchester United's 3-1 victory over Bournemouth in their rearranged game at Old Trafford meant they climbed above Saints, who end the season in a Premier League era record sixth position.

Now Saints need United to do them a favour at the weekend and defeat Crystal Palace at Wembley.

If United win the FA Cup final then Saints will avoid the qualification rounds of the Europa League, in which they exited the competition last August, and go straight through to the group stages, which begin in September.

Should Crystal Palace cause an upset and defeat United then Saints will be forced to start their season in July once again and have to win through two, two-legged contests if they are to make the group stages this time round.

Saints boss Ronald Koeman is understandably keen to avoid the qualification process if possible, and will delay confirming pre-season plans until such time as they know what their Europa League fate will be.