Manchester United face the potential threat of being chucked out the Europa League amid concerns they violate UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules, and here are things Sir Jim Ratcliffe must consider
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has plenty to think about amid concerns Manchester United could be relegated from the Europa League.
The Red Devils booked their place in Europe next season thanks to their stunning 2-1 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday (May 25), after having missed out on a top seven spot in the Premier League. Their unlikely triumph pushed Chelsea, who finished sixth, out of the Europa League and into the Conference League, and Newcastle, who finished seventh, subsequently lost their European spot altogether.
However, it’s since emerged that United could be bumped down a tier due to UEFA regulations regarding multi-club ownership. French outfit Nice, who are owned by Ratcliffe, qualified for the Europa League after finishing fifth in Ligue 1, and given that UEFA rules prohibit clubs controlled by the same group or individual taking part in the same competition, one of them may have to be booted out.
Domestically, Nice finished higher in the table than United did, and as such would be the likelier of the two to keep their Europa League spot. That said, Ratcliffe’s INEOS group are currently in talks with UEFA to resolve the matter, with nothing set in stone.
Speaking to RMC Sport, an INEOS spokesperson said they were confident a “solution” would be found. “We are aware of the position of the two clubs and we are in direct dialogue with UEFA,” they said. “We are convinced that we have a solution for next season in Europe”.
This is despite the fact UEFA has previously taken a hard stance on multi-club ownership, describing it as having “the potential to pose a material threat to the integrity of European club competitions, with a growing risk of seeing two clubs with the same owner or investor facing each other on the pitch”. With discussions ongoing, Mirror Sport has run through five things Ratcliffe and United must consider in the meantime.
Acting fast
United (and Nice) will be desperate to get this issue resolved as quickly as possible so that planning for the season ahead can begin in earnest. There’s a decent chance both teams will be allowed to stay in the Europa League given Ratcliffe has just a 27% stake in United, with the threshold for UEFA’s multi-club ownership regulations set at 30%.
That said, Ratcliffe has made no secret of his intention to own a greater stake in the club and is expected to invest enough funds to get above the 30% mark in the near future. On the other hand, UEFA somewhat relaxed their regulations last year, ruling that if clubs under the same ownership can successfully demonstrate that they’re run independently from one another and that one isn’t influenced by the other, they can enter the same competition.
For this to work for United, Ratcliffe may need to temporarily step back from operational duties at one of his clubs. Alternatively, the billionaire may have to reconsider immediate investment plans at Old Trafford.
Recruitment
United’s European fate could play a big part in their summer recruitment. The notion of playing under the lights at the Theatre of Dreams isn’t quite as alluring as it used to be, so the Red Devils will need all the help they can get to coax transfer targets to Manchester in the coming weeks.
Whether they’re playing Europa League football or Conference League football could be a difference-maker, with players typically keen to test themselves at the highest level possible. And it isn’t just transfer targets they need to worry about either.
It’s an open secret that United are considering parting ways with Erik ten Hag this summer, and there’s a chance higher profile replacements options could be put off at the thought of competing in Europe’s tertiary club competition next season.
Potential prizes
One of the big benefits of playing in the Europa League is that winning the competition seals automatic qualification to the following season’s Champions League, and with the Premier League arguably as competitive as it’s ever been, that just might be United’s easiest path back to the big time. Last season, eight teams effectively battled it out for four Champions League spots, and United were the worst of the bunch.
The Red Devils have a decent recent record in the Europa League too. They won the competition in 2017, reached the final in 2021, and the semi-final in 2020. Winning the Conference League, meanwhile, will earn them a spot in next season’s Europa League, but given United’s ambitions of getting back into the top four, that probably isn’t all that appealing.
Chances of winning
Although the Europa League is the more high calibre and prestigious competition, the Conference League is (probably) easier to win. Instead of teams like Porto, Roma and Tottenham, United could face the likes of Zrinjski Mostar, Progres Niederkorn and Cliftonville if they drop into UEFA’s tertiary tournament.
Ten Hag’s team are a million miles from the finished article, so a fairly undemanding run in the Conference League might be just what the doctor ordered. It would give them the chance not only to let some of their promising youngsters have a run out, but also to build a little confidence and rhythm.
Victory in the competition would also mark their second trophy in the space of 18 months under Ratcliffe, and their third in three successive seasons. Not bad going for a club facing difficulties on and off the pitch.
Potential Pochettino pay-off
Mauricio Pochettino is among the favourites to take over at United should they part ways with Ten Hag, and if they’re playing in the Conference League he could be a real asset to them. Chelsea pose the most significant threat in the competition, but having Pochettino in the dugout could give the Red Devils an edge given the fact he knows their players inside out.
The Argentine left Chelsea by mutual consent earlier this month and is understood to have held preliminary talks with United about taking over. With Kieran McKenna reportedly on the verge of extending his contract at newly-promoted Ipswich Town, Pochettino will compete with the likes of now out-of-work Roberto De Zerbi, Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter for the Old Trafford job should Ten Hag leave.
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