Man United could still miss out on the Champions League next campaign even if they finish in top four

Even if Manchester United finishes in the top four, they might not qualify for the Champions League the following year, according to reports.

This season, Erik ten Hag has made significant improvements to the Old Trafford team.

United won the Carabao Cup earlier this season, their first major trophy in roughly seven years, and they are still in the FA Cup and Europa League semifinals.

The team is currently third in the Premier League, but it is only by three points over Newcastle United, who is currently in fifth.

Even if Ten Hag's team managed to clinch a spot in the top four, they might not qualify for the Champions League the following season. Are you curious to know why? Keep reading.

Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim both submitted revised offers to purchase the Premier League champions last week, Manchester United's owners, the Glazer family, are presently considering "strategic alternatives" for the club.

Additionally, according to ESPN, British billionaire Ratcliffe might have to sell his shares in French club Nice if he wins the race to buy the Old Trafford club in order to prevent either side from being kicked out of the Champions League.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe would break the law if United and Nice qualified for the same UEFA tournament under his ownership, despite UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin's assertion last week that the organization was willing to relax restrictions on multi-club ownership.

Two teams controlled by the same person or organization are prohibited from participating in the same tournament under Article 5 of the UEFA rules. In turn, either the French team or United would violate Article 5.02 of the UEFA rules unless Ratcliffe sells his interest in Nice.

In the event that both teams finished in a Champions League qualification spot in their respective leagues, the club with the higher finish would advance to the competition. For instance, Nice would receive a Champions League spot if they finished third in Ligue 1 and fourth in the Premier League, respectively.

However, given that Nice is presently in seventh place in Ligue 1, 13 points outside of a Champions League spot, such a problem is unlikely to arise this season.