If Manchester United makes it into the European football league the next season, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s tenure as the club’s head of football operations may suffer serious repercussions.
The 71-year-old billionaire’s acquisition of the team was ultimately revealed via a club statement in December, capping months of conjecture.
Ratcliffe and his INEOS Group invested almost £1 billiоn for a 27.7% share in the team; once an additional £238 million is invested, that percentage will approach 30%.Ratcliffe, together with his INEOS colleagues Sir David Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc, has assumed control of United’s football operations since the purchаse was finalized in February, even though he is not the main owner.
Additionally, Nice is owned by the INEOS company. Nice is a French team that is now in fifth place in Ligue 1 and is headed for European football.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ownership of Man United could have significant consequences if the club qualify for European football
Ratcliffe is not just United’s head of football operations but also owns Nice in France via his INEOS firm.This is where United’s Premier League team may find it difficult to deal with Ratcliffe’s ownership.
According to UEFA rules, teams owned by the same entity are permitted to compete together in Europe moving ahead, but they are not allowed to participate in the same tournament.
The Sun received confirmation of the news from an organization source: It is true that Nice and Manchester United are ineligible to compete in the same league.
Since there is no longer any “feeding” between tournaments, they might participate in other leagues.
In the current standings for European qualifying, Erik ten Hag’s squad is six points behind Tottenham and nine behind Aston Villa.
Even if Manchester City would lose out on a European place if they were to retain their title, they would still be eligible to compete in European tournaments via the FA Cup.
Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem. If Nice finishes in fifth place and earns a Europa League slot, then Nice will advance ahead of United and the Premier League team will have to descend into the Conference League.
But, United would take priority and Francesco Farioli’s team would be relegated to the Conference League if they win the FA Cup this season.
While UEFA regulations will allow teams under the same ownership banner to play in Europe simultaneously, they cannot do so in the same competition 
Because of this, United may lose out on a European slot based on Nice’s league standing.
The club that places better in its respective league will also be awarded the spot if both teams qualify for the Champions League this season.
United would still win if both sides finish in the same place domestically since England would be ranked first by UEFA’s coefficient.
The possibility that would most severely affect United supporters is that both Nice and United could qualify for the Conference League via their domestic cups, with Nice holding a better league position.
If this turns out to be true, United would be left without any European football, and the French team would be awarded the position.