The Red Devils are already on the brink of losing out on a knockout-stage qualification in this year’s Champions League, and it can only get seemingly worse next year as they face the chance of missing out on the tournament altogether.
Britain’s richest man Jim Ratcliffe’s potential purchase of Manchester United for a bid of 1.25 billion euros is expected to happen in the coming days at Old Trafford. Although the Glazers will still hold majority, Ratcliffe can be expected to take a more hands-on role at the club and help in rejuvenating the struggling side.
But, Ratcliffe’s ownership also brings in to the fold another problem — his ownership of Nice.
⭕️Man Utd face possible BAN from Champions League after Sir Jim Ratcliffe takeover :The article discusses the potential implications for Manchester United, as British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is nearing a £1.3 billion deal with the Glazers to acquire a 25% stake in the… pic.twitter.com/IK8FMY8scC
— Lik3 Football (@lik3football) November 23, 2023
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Nice, who are currently second in Ligue 1 are touted for a Champions League spot finish. Now, as per UEFA’s current ‘multi-club ownership’ rules, the only way that both the Red Devils and Nice can both play in Europe next season is if one seals an automatic Champions League spot and the other goes into the Europa Conference League.
The Sun reports that if both teams finish in the Champions League qualification spots in their respective divisions, the team that finishes higher will be awarded the place with the other banned from European competition.
If both finish in the same position, England’s ranking at the top of UEFA’s “access list” would mean Erik ten Hag’s side would get in ahead of Nice.
Meanwhile, if Nice were to finish in fourth, then United would not be able to enter the Europa League either.
️| Manchester United are among 13 clubs who voted to ban player loans between clubs under the same ownership.Newcastle, Sheffield United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Everton, Wolverhampton and Nottingham Forest opposed the ban.
The proposal to ban was rejected by a single… pic.twitter.com/obKiAXIuJf
— UtdTruthful (@Utdtruthful) November 21, 2023
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United’s only chance of playing any kind of European football would require them to finish sixth, while hoping for Liverpool or potentially Newcastle to win the Carabao Cup – which would see them gain direct entry to the Europa Conference League.
United currently stand sixth in the table and are set to face off against Everton on the 26th of November in the Premier League.
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