Even if Manchester United places in the top four this year, they might not qualify for the Champions League the next year.
Under Erik ten Hag’s leadership, the Old Trafford club has significantly improved this year.
While they are still in the FA Cup and Europa League semifinals, United won the Carabao Cup earlier this season, their first major trophy in about seven years.
Although it is only three points ahead of Newcastle United in fifth place, the team is currently third in the Premier League.
Ten Hag’s team still might not play in the Champions League the next season even if they manage to clinch a spot in the top four. As shown here…
Will Man Utd lose out on the Champions League?
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari banker Prince Jassim both submitted new offers to purchase United last week and the club’s current owners, the Glazer family, are looking into “strategic alternatives” for the Premier League giants.
Yet according to ESPN, if British businessman Ratcliffe wins the battle to buy the Old Trafford team, he might have to sell his shares in French club Nice in order to save both teams from being kicked out of the Champions League.
Ratcliffe would break the law if United and Nice qualified for the same UEFA competition under his ownership, despite UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin’s assertion last week that the organization was willing to alter restrictions on multi-club ownership.
Two teams managed by the same person or organization are prohibited from participating in the same competition under Article 5 of the UEFA rules.
In consequence, either the French team or United would violate Article 5.02 of the UEFA rules unless Ratcliffe sells his investment in Nice.
In the event that both teams finished in a Champions League qualification spot in their respective leagues, the club with the superior finish would advance to the competition. For instance, Nice would receive a Champions League spot if they finished third in Ligue 1 and fourth in the Premier League, respectively.
But, given that Nice is currently in seventh place in Ligue 1, 13 points outside of a Champions League spot, such an issue is unlikely to arise this season.