Even if they fight to reach the top four places at the end of the season, Manchester United may still not be allowed to play in the UEFA Champions League next season
Premier League giants Manchester United face the prospect of being kicked out of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League even if they finish the current season in the top four due to their potential part-ownership by INEOS boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Manchester United takeover deal threatens UCL participation
The Red Devils, currently in sixth place on the Premier League table, are among England’s most frequent participants in the UEFA Champions League but could see their place in future editions of the competition come into question.
19:52 - 22.11.2023
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20:32 - 22.11.2023
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British businessman Ratcliffe is on the verge of sealing a £1.3 billion takeover of 17.25% of Manchester United, a positive development for most Red Devils’ fans; however, this could bring up some complications.
According to UEFA’s laws against multi-club ownership, teams owned by the same individuals cannot participate in the same seasons of the UEFA Champions League, meaning that Ratcliffe and INEOS ownership of Ligue 1 club Nice could jeopardise Manchester United’s involvement in the competition.
Ligue 1 club threatens Manchester United’s UCL place
According to UEFA’s current stipulations, one of Manchester United or Nice would have to sit out the Champions League if both teams qualify for the tournament, with the team that finishes lower on the table of their respective leagues sacrificing their place in the competition for their sister team.
This could cause a situation where Nice finish in first, second, or third place in Ligue 1 and cause Manchester United to miss out on playing in the lucrative UCL if they finish in fourth place in the Premier League.
Despite the gloomy outlook, there is some hope for Manchester United, as UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has already hinted at the possibility of scrapping the rule soon. Fans of the Red Devils will hope that this happens sooner, rather than later.
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