Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly made a significant decision to prevent Manchester United from being disqualified from the Europa League.
Manchester United secured their spot in the UEFA Europa League by defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup final last month. However, their participation is still uncertain.
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This uncertainty arises because INEOS, which owns a 27.7% stake in Manchester United, also owns OGC Nice.
Both clubs have qualified for the Europa League, but UEFA regulations prohibit clubs with a common owner from competing in the same tournament.
The Independent reports that Ratcliffe plans to address this by selling Nice. It is anticipated that UEFA will grant both United and Nice a one-year transition period, allowing them to compete in the Europa League simultaneously.
This temporary solution would likely involve placing Nice in a ‘blind trust,’ similar to last season when AC Milan and Toulouse, owned by Red Bird Capital, competed in Europe.
However, after this period, under the current ownership structure, they would not be permitted to compete together as UEFA is expected to enforce stricter rules starting from the 2025-26 season.
Additionally, Ratcliffe aims to concentrate on his role at Old Trafford, fulfilling his lifelong dream of managing his boyhood club.
The sale of Nice may be complicated by the financial instability of French football.
Ligue 1 has not secured a broadcast partner for the upcoming season, with projections dropping from an estimated €1 billion deal to just €500 million.
Independent sources indicate that while INEOS has not initiated discussions with potential buyers, the club’s unique location is expected to be an advantage.
