Sir Jim Ratcliffe makes drastic decision to avoid Manchester United being barred from Europa League

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly taken a drastic step to ensure Manchester United’s participation in the Europa League is not jeopardized.

United secured their place in the UEFA Europa League by defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup final last month, but their spot in the competition remains uncertain.

The issue arises because United’s minority owner, INEOS, which bought a 27.7 percent stake in the club earlier this year, also owns OGC Nice. UEFA regulations prevent clubs with shared ownership from competing in the same tournaments.

According to the Independent, INEOS chief Ratcliffe has decided to address this problem by selling Nice.

It is anticipated that UEFA will grant United and Nice a one-season transition period, allowing both clubs to compete in the Europa League. This temporary solution would likely involve placing Nice in a ‘blind trust,’ similar to the arrangement last season when Red Bird Capital-owned AC Milan and Toulouse both played in European competitions.

However, under the current ownership structure, from the 2025-26 season onwards, the two clubs would not be permitted to compete in the same competition as UEFA plans to adopt a stricter policy.

Additionally, Ratcliffe is keen to concentrate on his responsibilities at Old Trafford, fulfilling his lifelong dream of managing his boyhood club.

Selling Nice may be complicated by the financial instability of French football. Ligue 1 has not secured a broadcast partner for the upcoming season, with expected revenues plummeting from a potential €1 billion deal to just €500 million.

Independent sources indicate that while INEOS has not yet entered into discussions with potential buyers, Nice’s unique location could be advantageous in attracting interest.