Manchester United’s turbulent season could still end with silverware, as the Red Devils secured a spot in the UEFA Europa League final following a commanding 7-1 aggregate win over Athletic Club. They will now face Tottenham Hotspur in the final, who themselves cruised past Bodo/Glimt 5-1 on aggregate.
Victory in the Europa League not only brings a trophy but also offers automatic qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League. However, a major complication threatens United’s eligibility to take that spot.
Under UEFA's multi-club ownership regulations, issues arise when two clubs owned or controlled by the same entity qualify for the same European competition
If UEFA deems that Manchester United and Nice both qualifying for the Champions League creates a conflict of interest under its multi-club ownership rules, the governing body would be forced to act. In such a scenario, UEFA regulations prioritize the club that finishes higher in its domestic league. That means if Nice secures a top-three Ligue 1 finish while United only qualifies via the Europa League, the French side would be granted the Champions League berth—potentially at United’s expense, even if they lift the Europa League trophy.
On the other hand, if Nice fails to secure a Champions League spot through Ligue 1, Manchester United's Europa League victory would likely clear them for participation. UEFA will also be monitoring how INEOS, Ratcliffe’s company, structures its football investments going forward. To mitigate future conflicts, UEFA may demand further separation between the two clubs’ operational and financial frameworks. With both United and Nice chasing top European honors, the situation underscores how multi-club ownership is testing the limits of UEFA's evolving regulatory framework.
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