Manchester United are not the only team under the Ineos wing. The investors are also running French side Nice.
Ineos‘ investment places Manchester United as part of a multi-ownership club model, along with Nice in France and Swiss side Lausanne.
While Manchester United are certainly the jewel in the crown, Nice are enjoying their best season yet under Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s ownership.
But a promising campaign is now tailing off, and it could prove expensive if they do not pick up in form.
Nice drop out of Champions League spots
OGC Nice have made a major leap forward this season after finishing in ninth place in 2022/23.
A terrific start to the season saw Nice pushing Paris Saint-Germain for top spot and they finished the recent calendar year in second place, looking strong for a Champions League spot.
However, in recent weeks, Nice’s form has been on the side. Their 2-1 loss away at Toulouse was the tipping point which saw them drop down into fifth place.
Nice are without a win since January, losing three and drawing one of their last four Ligue 1 fixtures. They have only one Ligue 1 victory in 2024.
The top three automatically qualify for the Champions League, with Nice now two points below the qualification places.
This would come as a serious blow for Ineos, who have not been able to plough money into Nice because of the club’s limited revenues. Champions League qualification would seriously boost their income.
Nice’s downturn in form comes at a time Manchester United have experienced a setback, with the club now 11 points off a Champions League spot.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe had identified qualifying for the Champions League as a major short-term priority for Manchester United to help with FFP – although the team has taken a big step backwards with two straight defeats.
Seeing both United and Nice miss out on the competition
Double Europa League prospects
There was some debate over whether UEFA rules would permit two Ineos teams to compete in the Champions League.
UEFA have allowed this multi-club approach previously, with Red Bull owned teams, but obviously, where Manchester United are concerned, new rules often get drafted up.
Ratcliffe insisted this would not be an issue, and was something Ineos could work around with some changes at director-level, if need be.
However, the way it is looking, neither Manchester United nor Nice could qualify for the Champions League.
As it stands, both teams are heading to the Europa League next season, where they could compete against each other in the re-formatted competition.
It won’t be as glamorous, or as lucrative, but there will be plenty of attention on this tie if it occurs, certainly in the Ineos offices.
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