Man United faces Champions League ban even if it wins EL final

The Europa League final in Bilbao against Tottenham Hotspur will determine whether Manchester United can salvage its disappointing campaign.

A win there might not guarantee you a spot next season in the Champions League. The Europa League champions are not automatically qualified for the Champions League of the following season, despite this rule.

Last chance for Manchester United to save the season

Ruben Amorim’s team secured their place in final with a 7-1 aggregate victory against Athletic Bilbao. However, United’s season was far from easy.

Inconsistency in the domestic league and cup saw them fall out of the top four races. Now, a victory over Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham — who themselves enjoyed a 5–1 aggregate semi-final success over Bodo/Glimt — offers the only route back into Europe’s elite competition.

UEFA rules state that champions of Europa League gain automatic entry to the Champions League group stage the following year. Historically, Manchester United have relied on this backdoor: triumph in the 2016–17 Europa League under Jose Mourinho delivered them a place in the Champions League in 2017–18.

Nice in France

The club’s major investor, Sir Jim Ratcliffe complicates things this year. Ratcliffe owns a large stake in OGC, a Ligue 1 team currently ranked 4th in France.

If the previous UEFA rule had still been in force, United would have been prevented from qualifying for the Europa League if the individual who was deemed to be the “controller or the decisive influencer” of two clubs that were competing in the same competition.

UEFA relaxed their multi-club owner rules last summer by allowing for case-bycase reviews. Manchester City, Girona and the City Football Group all participated in Europe simultaneously this season. UEFA’s updated rules now require that there is clear proof that no person “is simultaneously involved in the administration, management and/or sporting performances” of more than two qualified clubs.

Ratcliffe wants Nice to be sold

United’s simplest path to compliance is the sale of Ratcliffe’s share in Nice before UEFA’s deadline for entry. Ratcliffe, according to reports, is looking into this option. Should the transaction complete in time, even a victorious United side and a Champions-League-bound Nice would not conflict under UEFA’s case-by-case framework.

UEFA will review the case as soon as possible after the final scheduled in Bilbao on May 21, 2019.

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