Manchester United’s dismal 2024/25 campaign has forced a rethink at all levels of the club, with Ruben Amorim’s project now firmly focused on domestic progress.
After finishing a shocking 15th in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham, the Red Devils will not feature in any European competition for the upcoming season.
While that failure has piled pressure on the squad, it’s also opened new opportunities—particularly in relation to OGC Nice, who, like United, fall under the INEOS umbrella.
Last season, UEFA regulations prohibited any form of transfer dealings between the two clubs, as both competed in the same competition.
But with United out of Europe, the door is now open again—and Manchester United wasted little time in testing the waters.
According to Nice-Matin, United have already offered a player to the Ligue 1 side in what would have been the first bit of inter-club transfer activity under INEOS’ multi-club ownership model.
However, Nice rejected the proposal, with the unnamed player reportedly deemed unsuitable by sporting director Florian Maurice.
While no name has been revealed, the report highlights how determined Nice are to avoid becoming a dumping ground for United’s fringe players.
A source close to the club told the French outlet: “If there are to be exchanges between clubs, it will be because these are players who are 100% approved by Florian Maurice and who will bring real added value to OGC Nice.”
It’s also understood that OGC Nice expressed interest in a United youngster, but the Premier League club turned them down, opting to keep the player as part of Amorim’s squad this season.
Now that INEOS’ year-long ownership trust over Nice has ended, Jean-Claude Blanc has resumed his role as the main point of contact for the French side’s CEO, Fabrice Bocquet.
While the concept of an integrated multi-club strategy is still being explored, the message from both clubs is clear—each side must operate independently, with performance and identity at the core of every decision.
