How Manchester United and Nice could avoid European ban with Sir Jim Ratcliffe investment

Manchester United could face a UEFA charge if they qualify for Europe next season with Sir Jim Ratcliffe as the club's minority owner - IF Ratcliffe's Ligue 1 side Nice also secure European football.

UEFA rules forbid two clubs under the same ownership from competing in Europe and with Ratcliffe's Ineos group set to acquire a 25% stake in United - as well as owning Ligue 1 highflyers Nice - that could present a problem.

United are currently sixth in the Premier League table while Nice are second in the Ligue 1 standings, just a point behind Paris St-Germain. UEFA's multi-club ownership rules mean the only way the two clubs could currently both play in Europe is if one qualifies directly to the Champions League group stage and the other qualifies for any stage of the Conference League, as that would prevent playing in the same European competition at any point.

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Otherwise, under Article 5 of UEFA's rules, the club qualifying for the more prestigious competition would take precedence, or if they qualified for the same competition the club with the higher league finish. If they finished in the same position, it would come down to the coefficient between the Premier League and Ligue 1.

But if both clubs do qualify for Europe, UEFA will initially open proceedings against them through their Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) and that will give them a chance to prove they do comply with the rules. In a sign of UEFA's stance against multi-club ownership relaxing this summer, three cases were raised but every club involved was given the green light to play in Europe.

That will give United and Nice