Man Utd facing deadline NEXT WEEK to avoid being axed from Europa League next season

United have until 3 June to resolve issues (Picture: Ratcliffe Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INOES have until Monday to meet Uefa regulations that allow both Manchester United and Nice to compete in the Europa League next season.

Despite finishing eighth in the Premier League, United secured qualification for next season’s Europa League thanks to their thrilling FA Cup victory over Manchester City on Tuesday.

But Uefa’s multi-club ownership rules could pose a problem. Ratcliffe completed his purchase of a 27.7 per cent stake in United in February in a deal that saw him and his INEOS group assume immediate control of all football operations at Old Trafford.

Ratcliffe is also the majority shareholder at Nice, however, having taken over the French club in 2019.

Uefa rules prohibit any individual or organisation from having ‘decisive influence’ over more than one club competing in the same competition.

The Daily Telegraph report United and INEOS have until Monday to satisfy those Uefa requirements or United face being forced to drop down to the Europa League.

In that scenario, Nice would retain their Europa League place having finished in a higher league position than United having coming fifth in Ligue 1.

The FA Cup secured Europa League qualification (Picture: isionhaus/Getty Images)

INEOS however are confident of resolving the matter. ‘We are aware of the position of both clubs and are in direct dialogue with Uefa,’ a statement said.

‘We are confident we have a route forward for next season in Europe.’

Manchester City and Girona also have similar issues to sort with both clubs operating under the City Football Group.

Girona qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history this season after securing third place in La Liga.

United meanwhile face a big few days with an end of season review still underway to determine whether Erik ten Hag will stay on as manager.

The club have held talks with representatives of possible replacements including Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Frank but ten Hag could still fight on for another season.

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