What Manchester United must prove this week to avoid Europa League ban

Manchester United are on their way to the Europa League next season after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

The Reds were heavy underdogs for the contest at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon but goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo secured a 2-1 victory. United finished eighth in the Premier League but by virtue of winning the domestic cup competition, they joined Tottenham Hotspur in next season's European competition.

However, one problem that needs to be ironed out is regarding multi-club ownership. UEFA's rules state that one entity cannot own two sides who have qualified for European competition.

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The only time rules permit two clubs owned by the same person/business to compete in Europe is when one qualifies for the Champions League and the other enters the Europa Conference League because they would not face each other. United have the very real possibility of facing Nice though, who are also owned by INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe after the French club qualified for the Europa League.

Thankfully, there is a loophole and MEN Sport has taken a look at what Ratcliffe must do to avoid one of his clubs being kicked out of Europe.

At present, the current highest-ranked side in their respective league would be allowed into the Europa League with the other banned. This would mean United would face the ban as Nice finished the season fifth.

But, if Ratcliffe can prove to UEFA before June 3 that there is enough detachment between United and Nice that they are separate clubs, both teams shall be allowed to compete in the Europa League. The Manchester Evening News reported in March that