Man Utd discover Europa League fate as Uefa makes decision after club faces relegation to Conference League

MANCHESTER UNITED will be allowed to take part in next season’s Europa League as UEFA prepares to make an announcement on the ownership rules for a number of clubs.

The Red Devils secured Europa League football after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

But they faced fears of being relegated to the Europa Conference League due to new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, 71, controlling Ligue 1 side Nice – who have also secured Europa League football.

But now, according to The timesUEFA will allow both Ratcliffe clubs to enter the competition for the 2024/25 campaign.

UEFA’s Club Financial Control Board is expected to issue a decision on Monday on multi-club ownership that will allow the teams to play in the same European tournament.

This will be subject to certain conditions, including Nice being operated by a “blind trust”, a panel approved by UEFA.

The same procedure will allow City Football Group clubs Man City and Girona to compete in the Champions League.

The “blind trust” model was used this season to allow Red Bird Capital-owned clubs AC Milan and Toulouse to play in the Europa League.

Girona’s links to City Football Group have come under scrutiny after three of their key players were loaned or sold through the ownership’s influence.

The change to UEFA rules will act as a “temporary alternative… granted on an exceptional basis for the 2024-25 UEFA competitions”.

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The report states that the rules may change and that “there will not be as much leeway” in future seasons.

Racliffe’s Ineos own 27.7 per cent of Man Utd, while the Glazer family still holds a controlling stake in the club.

British billionaire Ratcliffe also owns Swiss team Lausanne-Sport, but they failed to qualify for European football this season after finishing 10th in their country’s 12-team top flight.