Explained: Why Man Utd could face Champions League ban after Sir Jim Ratcliffe takeover - as high-flying Nice could stop Red Devils from qualifying

Ratcliffe is anticipated to pay £1.25 billion to acquire his 25% share at Old Trafford in the next few days. This will be immensely appreciated by supporters who want to see the Glazer family lose their position of power. Ratcliffe's ownership of the French team Nice, though, may provide the Red Devils with difficulties as they try to qualify for Europe as per The Sun.

Nice are presently one point behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain in the Ligue 1 standings. Man United would need to at least tie them in the Premier League standings in order to be eligible for the redesigned Champions League if they manage to finish in the top four at the conclusion of the season.

Man United would also not be eligible to play in the Europa League if Nice were to finish fourth. The only chance Man United has to play any sort of European football is if they finish sixth and hope that either Newcastle or Liverpool win the Carabao Cup, which would give them a straight ticket to the Europa Conference League.

Manchester City, United's neighbours, may also be impacted by the FIFA regulations. However, Girona, the City Football Group's Spanish sister club and surprise leaders in La Liga ahead of Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid, may be most affected. Girona would have to do better in the Spanish elite league than Manchester City in the Premier League to stand a chance of making it to the Champions League next season.

On the weekend, Nice will face off with Toulouse on Saturday, November 25 before Manchester United take on Everton on Sunday, as the Toffees look to bounce back from their 10-point deduction.