Manchester United are close to not qualifying for the Champions League this season after a lackluster second year with Erik ten Hag as manager. Currently, they are in sixth place in the Premier League, trailing fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur by six points. United understands that achieving a top five placement would increase their chances of participating in top-tier European football in the upcoming season due to the Champions League expansion by UEFA. However, if they finish sixth, Ten Hag’s team is highly likely to secure a place in the Europa League, potentially facing competition from Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s other team, Nice. The French team supported by INEOS is currently in fifth place in their division, ensuring them a place in the second-tier European competition. Additionally, it has been reported that United has enlisted stadium designers. Ratcliffe has named a key figure who will determine Ten Hag’s fate. In MEN Sport’s analysis of media reports, we clarify why United has no need to be concerned about UEFA’s regulations regarding possible exclusion from European competitions. The Sun has reported that United may be denied entry into the Europa League if Nice finishes with a higher position in the table. According to UEFA’s guidelines on multi-club ownership, two teams owned by the same entity cannot participate in the same tournament. The only exception to this rule is when one team qualifies for the Champions League and the other for the Europa Conference League in the same season. This is because neither team can face each other at any point during the season. According to MEN Sport, United does not have to be concerned about being denied entry to the Europa League if both they and Nice qualify.
