Manchester United Might Not Participate in UEFA Champions League Anymore Even if They Finish in Top 4, Here’s Why

Manchester United may face a terrible fate. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment in Manchester United is expected to bring some significant changes to the club. Many even speculate that the power accumulated in the hands of the Glazer family at Old Trafford might end with Ratcliffe’s involvement. However, his involvement can backfire on the club, as it may stop United from being a part of the UEFA Champions League even if they finish in the top four.

The INEOS chief is looking forward to investing more than $1 billion to acquire a 25% share at Old Trafford. Ratcliffe also has ownership over the French soccer team Nice, and this would put United in serious danger. Let’s dive deeper to have a better understanding of the situation of Manchester United.

Why will Manchester United won’t be a part of the Champions League?

Erik Ten Hag’s team may not be able to participate in the UEFA Champions League because of the dual ownership. The Red Devils and Nice can both compete in European competitions only if one directly enters the Conference League and the other qualifies for the Champions League. Consequently, if United and Nice achieve Champions League spots in their respective leagues, only the higher-ranked team could compete in the Champions League, while the lower-ranked team would be out of the European competitions. The multi-club ownership regulations restrict United and Nice from taking part in the European competition at the same time.

These multi-club ownership rules aim to achieve a competitive balance and restrict possible disputes among teams under the same ownership. At the moment, the French team is in close competition for the Ligue 1 title, trailing PSG by just a single point. The Red Devils hopes of qualifying for the Champions League hinge on their capacity to match Nice’s final Premier League standing.

It is to be noted that United won’t be able to be a part of the Europa League if their team pulls off the fourth position. The only circumstance that makes them eligible to compete in European competitions is when they finish sixth. Also, if Liverpool or Newcastle win the Carabao Cup, the Red Devils will be directly eligible to participate in the Europa League. Even though Ratcliffe can put United in a tight spot, it is expected that he will bring some positive changes to the club.

The changes Ratcliff wants to bring in United

Ratcliffe and his INEOS group will assume control over the soccer club’s operations. This would also include the recruitment of players and coaching staff. Many assume that his involvement can pave the way for a new era at United. Currently, the INEOS CEO aims to restructure the functioning of the club to make things more stable.

READ MORE: Manchester United Might Not Participate in UEFA Champions League Anymore Even if They Finish in Top 4, Here’s Why

Interestingly, renowned British coach and cyclist Dave Brailsford will play a prominent role in shaping the club’s game strategy. When Ratcliffe acquired Nice in 2019, he made it clear that his aim was to make the club successful both on and off the field. The English businessman is someone who believes that a team winning on match day is secondary, as the most important thing is how well they and their club function off-pitch. Do you think that Ratcliffe can bring appreciable changes to Manchester United? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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