Even though Manchester United has had a terrible season, they have still qualified for the Europa League final earlier this week, and after defeating Athletic Club 7-1 on aggregate, Ruben Amorim’s team will return to Bilbao in 10 days to play Tottenham after defeating Bodo/Glimt 5-1 over two legs.
Although Ange Postecoglou’s team has also struggled greatly in domestic competitions this season, they have defeated Man United three times. For Spurs, winning the trophy would end a 17-year wait, while for United, it would be a good way to cap off an awful season.
It’s also important to keep in mind that the Europa League champions are guaranteed a spot in the Champions League the following season, albeit United might not be in that position.
Two clubs under the same management were not allowed to compete, even in different European competitions, according to previous UEFA regulations. It would have been unthinkable for Man United and Nice to be playing European football since Sir Jim Ratcliffe owns shares in both teams.
Nice, who currently sit fourth in the Ligue 1 rankings, are in a strong position to earn a spot in the Champions League the next season, even if they lost 2-0 to Rennes on Saturday night.
However, last year, those rules were changed to account for the number of clubs that share ownership.
As demonstrated by the fact that United and Nice are permitted to play in the Europa League and that Manchester City and Girona are also permitted to participate in this season’s competition, it is currently evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Ratcliffe’s participation in Nice has already caused problems for United, as evidenced by the denial of Jean-Clair Todibo’s transfer to Old Trafford. However, there are two reasons why United should be hopeful that this situation won’t persist.
Ratcliffe is considering selling the French team, and if approved before a specific date—assuming Nice secures a Champions League qualifying slot and United wins the Europa League—there shouldn’t be any problems.
According to a UEFA statement, if Ratcliffe keeps a share in both, there is still a chance for them to compete among Europe’s top, demonstrating that there is no one regulation that applies to every unique circumstance.
It was stated that “no one is simultaneously involved, directly or indirectly, in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of more than one club participating in a UEFA club competition; and no one has control or decisive influence over more than one club participating in a UEFA club competition.”
As such, all that is really needed will be proof that the two clubs are not run simultaneously and Ratcliffe’s desire to sell his Nice stake could certainly help their case if the worst transpired.
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