Manchester United don't need to worry about UEFA's archaic European rules

Manchester United are on the verge of missing out on Champions League football this season after a disappointing second year under Erik ten Hag.

Ahead of the run-in, the Reds sit sixth in the Premier League, six points behind fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. United know that finishing in the top five would likely secure top-tier European football next season as UEFA expands the Champions League.

Should they finish sixth, Ten Hag's men are almost guaranteed a spot in the Europa League where they could also be competing against Sir Jim Ratcliffe's other club Nice. The INEOS-backed French side sit fifth in their division which would guarantee them a spot in the the second-tier European competition.

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In MEN Sport's look at the media headlines, we explain why United shouldn't be worried about UEFA's rules.

United could be barred from European competition

As reported in The Sun, United could be blocked from entering the Europa League should Nice finish higher in the table than them. This is because UEFA's multi-club ownership rules state two teams who are owned by the same group, person or organisation cannot compete in the same competition.

The only occasion where the rules allow for two clubs owned by the same entity to compete in Europe in the same season is when one qualifies for the Champions League and the other for the Europa Conference League. This is because neither team can meet at any stage that season.

What MEN Sport says: United do not need to worry about being blocked entry to the Europa League should both themselves and Nice qualify. This is mainly because the precedent has already been set to