How Ratcliffe's ownership could cost Man United a place in the Champions League

Britain's richest man is expected to purchase his 25 per cent stake at Old Trafford in the coming days in a £1.25billion deal that will be greatly appreciated by fans determined to see the balance of power move away from the Glazer family.

However, Ratcliffe's ownership of French club Nice could pose a problem for the Red Devils in their pursuit of European football.

Nice are currently second in Ligue 1, a point behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain. If they stay anywhere near the top four at the end of the season then Man United would have to at least match them in the Premier League table to be allowed into the revamped Champions League.

Meanwhile, if Nice were to finish in fourth, then Man United would not be able to enter the Europa League either.

Man United's only chance of playing any kind of European football would require them to finish sixth, while hoping for Liverpool or potentially Newcastle to win the Carabao Cup - which would see them gain direct entry to the Europa Conference League.

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This is because Nice would need to enter the final play-off round for the main competition and risk ending up in the Europa League.

UEFA rules on 'multi-club ownership' state that no individual entity "may have control of influence over more than one club participating in a UEFA competition."

Among the definitions of 'control' is "being able to exercise by any means a decisive influence in the decision-making of the club."

Furthermore, the rules also say that no individual can be involved 'in any capacity' or have "any power whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of any other club" participating in a UEFA competition.

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Ineos chairman and CEO Ratcliffe has made it clear that he will have command of the sporting structure at Man United while his stake in the 13-time Premier League winners clearly meets the 'influence' standard.

If two clubs under the same ownership umbrella qualify for Europe then only one of them can be entered - although there is a caveat which allows teams to qualify automatically for the Conference League if a sister club is directly entered into the senior competition.

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However, the UEFA rulebook makes it clear that priority would go to the club that was ranked highest in its respective domestic championship.

England's ranking at the top of the 'access list' means matching Nice's finish would see Man United take priority.

A UEFA source told The Sun: "As the rules stand, it's a clear situation. Ineos own Nice and are set to have a significant role in running United.

"Unless the regulations are changed, or Ineos sell one of their stakes, they cannot both play in European competitions, unless one is in the Champions league and the other in the Conference League."

Ten Hag's side experienced a horror start to the league season but have won four of their last five, meaning they are currently sixth in the table, five points off fourth.

These rules could also impact Man United's local rivals, Manchester City with Spanish sister club Girona, run by Pep Guardiola's brother Pere, the surprise leaders of LaLiga.

If Girona were to beat teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona or Atletico Madrid to the title then City would have to win the Premier League or win the Champions League - becoming automatic top seeds - to qualify next term.