LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 05: Players of Manchester United look dejected as they leave the field, after being defeated 7-0 during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United at Anfield on March 05, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Manchester United‘s quest to qualify for the Champions League next season may be in jeopardy, according to recent reports.
Even if the Red Devils finish in Premier League top four, there is a possibility they may not qualify for the Champions League due to UEFA breach.
Under the guidance of Erik ten Hag, United has made considerable progress this season, winning their first major trophy in seven years by lifting the Carabao Cup.
They are still in contention for both the FA Cup and Europa League titles.
Currently, Manchester is sitting comfortably in third place in the Premier League, but their lead over fifth-placed Newcastle United is just three points.
However, they may miss out on Champions League football next season due to a possible UEFA breach.
Despite their position, there is still a chance that they could miss out on Champions League football next season, and here is why:
The Glazer family, who own Manchester United, are currently considering different options for the club’s future. Recently, both Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim from Qatar made new offers to buy the team.
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According to ESPN, if Ratcliffe, a wealthy British businessman, ends up buying Manchester United, he may have to sell his shares in the French club Nice to prevent either team from being disqualified from the Champions League.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin recently stated that the organization was willing to ease its rules on owning multiple clubs, but if Jim Ratcliffe were to purchase both Manchester United and French club Nice, he would still violate current regulations.
Article 5 of UEFA’s rules prohibit two teams under the control of the same entity from participating in the same competition.
Thus, if Ratcliffe maintains ownership of both teams, either Nice or Manchester United would breach Article 5.02 of the UEFA regulations.
Therefore, Ratcliffe would need to sell his stake in Nice if he wants to avoid this issue.
In the scenario where both Manchester United and Nice qualify for the Champions League in the same season, the team with the higher finish in their respective league would be prioritized to participate in the competition.
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For instance, if Manchester United finishes fourth in the Premier League and Nice finishes third in Ligue 1, then Nice would be granted a spot in the Champions League.
The prospect of Nice earning a Champions League spot this season is highly unlikely. The French club is currently in the seventh position in Ligue 1, 13 points adrift from the league’s top sides, and their chances of clinching a Champions League berth are slim.
While the unpredictability of football cannot be discounted, Nice faces a daunting task in qualifying for the Champions League this season.
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