Ratcliffe’s Man Utd plans dealt CRUSHING UEFA blow

Robin Bairner

• 25 Mar 2024 10:34 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United’s summer transfer plans have been thrown into jeopardy by a UEFA ruling that threatens to deal a significant blow to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s renovation plans at the club.

Ratcliffe and his team have been working behind the scenes to plan for the forthcoming transfer window, in which it is expected that there will be a significant turnover in the club’s playing staff.

But the dreams of the INEOS billionaire to get things moving have been thrown into chaos by a ruling from UEFA that could ban the Red Devils from European football.

According to The Sun, UEFA has been unwilling to budge on its stance over multi-club ownership.

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Man Utd face possible European ban

Ratcliffe, whose INEOS group also owns Ligue 1 side Nice, had promised in February that there were “no circumstances” in which Man Utd would be prevented from playing in Europe. UEFA doubling down on its position plus a recent slump from the French team he owns threatens to prove him wrong.

Clubs under the same ownership umbrella will be able to compete simultaneously in European football next season, but crucially, they will not be allowed to play in the same competition.

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As things stand, Man Utd are heading for the Europa League as they are placed sixth in the Premier League.

Nice, having been towards the top of Ligue 1 all season, have fallen to fifth spot, which would see them move into the Europa League.

If the season were to finish today, it would be Nice propelled into the Europa League as they rank higher in their domestic table. United would be relegated to the Conference League.

The Sun reports there is even an unlikely scenario in which both clubs drop to the Conference League that would see the Red Devils frozen out entirely. This hinges on who wins the national cup competitions.

Clearly, top-level European football is a major draw at Man Utd, so this situation threatens to complicate the club’s ability to compete for the biggest talent.