Man Utd have ‘held talks’ over major ‘concerns’ surrounding Sir Jim Ratcliffe ownership

Manchester United have reportedly been in talks with Uefa regarding the governing body’s multi-club ownership rules.

The Red Devils could fall foul of those laws when Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s purchase of a minority stake in the club is ratified. The British billionaire also owns Ligue 1 side Nice and there are concerns at Old Trafford that under Uefa’s current laws United would be unable to compete in the Champions League next season if both sides qualify.

While that possibility seems unlikely with United currently eight points off the top four, it is a long-term concern for the club, especially with Nice second in the French top flight and expected to compete in the Champions League next season.

According to the Daily Mail, United have ‘moved to improve relations with Uefa’ regarding their mutli-club ownership laws. Ineos representatives have held talks with European football’s governing body in Switzerland, while UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis was a guest at last week’s 3-0 win over West Ham United at Old Trafford.

The Mail add: “United and Ineos are confident the matter can be resolved after Brighton and Aston Villa were given the green light this season despite being part of multi-club groups.”

Meanwhile, the Champions League’s expanded version for 2024/25 could boost United’s hopes of gaining a spot in the competition. From next season, 36 sides will take part in the group stage which will utilise the ‘Swiss Model’, a format that sees all sides in one 36-team group with each team playing eight matches.

As a result, the two leagues with the best coefficient score from this season will be rewarded with an additional spot in the Champions League, and that could well be England. Ironically, United’s exit from the Champions League group stages this season have impacted the Premier League’s chances of earning a fifth spot, and the Red Devils will need rivals Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal to succeed in Europe this season if an extra place is to be awarded.

United are currently six points behind fifth-place Tottenham Hotspur, a gap that could be clawed back in the final 15 matches of the season.