Ownership crisis with INEOS-Nice link puts European spot in jeopardy. Urgent action needed before final.
Manchester United’s Champions League qualification is under serious threat — not due to their performances, but because of a looming ownership conflict with UEFA. Despite the fact that winning the Europa League traditionally guarantees a Champions League group stage spot, United could be banned unless UEFA clears their ownership structure.
Here’s the full breakdown:
Europa League Win = Normally Guaranteed UCL Spot: Under UEFA rules, winning the Europa League gives the club automatic entry into next season’s Champions League.
But There’s a Catch: INEOS owns stakes in both Manchester United and French side OGC Nice. If both clubs qualify for the UCL, UEFA’s rules on multi-club ownership could bar one from entering — likely United if Nice qualifies via Ligue 1.
UEFA’s Verdict Pending: The only way around this is explicit UEFA approval, which will depend on how Nice finishes the Ligue 1 season. If they land a Champions League spot, UEFA may block United to prevent a conflict of interest.
Premier League Route Closed: With Manchester United’s poor league form, the Europa League final is their only chance at returning to Europe’s elite competition.
Looming Deadline: The club must act before the Europa League final — either divesting part of INEOS’s involvement in Nice or convincing UEFA their ownership complies with the rules.
New Format Adds Stakes: The 2025/26 UCL will have 36 teams, and the Europa League winner is one of the guaranteed spots. But without UEFA’s blessing, United might still be locked out.
This means the result of Nice’s league campaign directly affects United’s European destiny — a dangerous game of fate hanging on ownership paperwork rather than trophies.
