Manchester United facing ‘Champions League ban’ after Sir Jim Ratcliffe deal

If Ten Hag’s side finish sixth or win the FA Cup, they would usually directly qualify for the second-tier competition. However, if Nice finished fourth in Ligue 1, with the prospect of losing a Champions League qualifier and dropping into the Europa League, United would not be allowed to play in the tournament.

A UEFA source said to 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.”